Find the right way ahead
PAROMITA PAIN
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There are kids out there who are not as fortunate as you. Do you know about them? Do you feel you can do something to help them?
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They dare to dream. They dare to hope. They dare to care about their future.
These are children who do not have even the basic rights conferred by the UNESCO. They have no Right to Education, Survival, Protection or Participation. Yet, deprived of all these, they see a silver lining and they will fight to win and overcome their present situation.
For them, the future holds promise.
You might think math and history are gross violations of rights. But Human Rights is something more than being made to do homework and bathe regularly. As the UNICEF has declared, “Children have rights as human beings and also need special care and protection.”
Addressing wrongs
Unity is strength and nothing proves this better than the CRY assisted Children's Collectives, formed in villages and areas where young people are most vulnerable. Groups of children get together regularly to build solidarity among themselves, understand their environment and the struggles of their families and draw strength from each other to be more confident as individuals.
Photo : Sushanta Patronobish
Make a noise : Do not employ children.
The Young Pillar Children's Club, formed with young people and World Vision, with the help of a Women's Self Help Group (SHG) rescued eight children from bonded child labour.
These children were working in beedi and match factories as bonded labourers because their parents had mortgaged them to the factory owners for money.
Recently a 10 children facilitated by World Vision India and India Alliance for Child Rights, presented a children's manifesto of demands to ensure their Rights to Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi.
It's truly your right to ensure your rights. Unite for the cause!
The United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child confers certain basic rights on children universally. They include the Right to:
Survival - to life, health, nutrition, name and nationality
Development - to education, care, leisure, recreation
Protection - from exploitation, abuse, neglect
Participation - in expression, information, thought and religion
Colours of hope : We want to go to school. Photo : M. Karunakaran
No to child abuse
At 13, Murti, said ‘no' to most things her parents suggested. When her parents insisted that she get married, she refused. She convinced her teacher to help her. She is an active member of the ‘Kishori Vahini' (adolescent girl's group). Her parents were poor, but Murti had her “Teacher didi” to advise her. Together they convinced her parents and today Murti is studying to be a teacher!
Sandhya Krishnan says :
Understand what your rights are and what constitutes a violation. Being asked to help at home does not constitute a Rights violation. When your parents give you chores, it is intended to train you to become a responsible adult.
Always remember Rights and Responsibilities go hand in hand.
Show initiative. Organise children's clubs and discuss issues with your friends before talking to an adult.
Make parents aware of what they might be doing wrong through acceptable means like songs, poems, plays or stories.
Raise your voice against behaviour you think is abusive but do so in a manner that is not self-destructive.
Please understand that in the case of academics and parental pressure to score more marks, you need to keep up your end of the deal by studying and working hard.
Don't aggravate the situation by being defiant in the face of parental anger.
Want to help?
“Young people ideally should not be encouraged to report their parents or relatives to the law or any NGO unless there is a long term commitment on the part of the NGO to work with the child who is reporting the instance. However, 1098 - Childline is one option. Childline can ensure the child is safe,” says Sandhya Krishnan, Programme Manager, Save The Children, Tamil Nadu.
Ban child labour
All she could dream about was football. But growing up in a slum in North Chenna, Shakti (6) was sent to work in a shop that packaged and sold fish. When she got home after work, a quick wash would suffice before she ran off to school and to play football. However, the family's poverty took its toll and Shakti was forced to drop out.
She joined the Slum Children Sports Talent Education Development Society (SCSTEDS), an organisation that gives children like her ,a chance to play football. This they believe is the first step in getting to know the children, many of whom are school drop outs. Shakti soon became a star footballer. Soon, Shakti was included in the under-14 State level football team. In the past four years, Shakti has played at both district and state level matches.
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