Child rights: Towards an equal future

Slavery is generally referred to as any kind of forced labour from people held against their will. While slavery has been condemned,the practice is still pursued in many parts of the world,famously known as contemporary slavery,in the form of human trafficking,etc.

Most of India’s population lives under the poverty line. Exploitation of women and sex slavery still exists and is on the rise. While officially it is illegal,unofficially the crime goes on and no one is bothered to put a stop to it.

We are all born free. We are all considered to be slaves of our own aptitude,which cannot be bound by anyone and hence cannot be enslaved by anyone. Slavery is an inhuman and ungodly practice. This is not a situation made by God,this is a man-made mess.

Every day,changes in the economy and developmental policies are pushing more people into domestic work. With extended families being replaced by nuclear families,there is increasing demand for domestic workers. This ought to push up wages. Domestic workers in India are routinely harassed and exploited by their employers. Unless there is a change in attitudes,no improvement in their working conditions  is possible.

In a democratic country,nobody should have the right to enslave us according to their whims and fancies. One needs to become independent in his or her thinking. Every one deserves to live in freedom with no restrictions.
Ipshita Kumar,IX J
Delhi Public School,R K Puram

We see a lot of children these days working in dhabas,at home,shops and even on roads begging for money. Though there are many laws and agencies (there also exists a child helpline — 1098) against child labour,child rights record in our country is nothing to write home about. Everyone in our society,even we schoolchildren,can contribute to this matter in some way or the other. If we see people employing children at their homes or shops,we can request them not to employ children to save money.

We can report to the authorities and the child helpline in case we encounter such cases. If warnings don’t work,we can start boycotting these shops or dhabas. Others too will automatically start realising their responsibilities and duties. Let us promise ourselves a child labour-free Delhi by 2010 when the Commonwealth Games will start.
Tejasvini Ahuja,VIII RV
Venkateshwar International School,Dwarka

Due to poverty and other reasons,many children are deprived of even the basic needs in many countries. They are forced into begging,child labour,exploitation and assault. They are dying due to malnutrition.

To spread awareness,Child Rights Day is observed throughout the world.

Every child has a right to love,affection,security and education. Child labour must be abolished and all these children’s basic needs should be fulfilled. There should not be any discrimination towards the girl child.

First of all,child labour should be banned and anybody engaging a minor in any form of labour should be punished. Secondly,every child must be provided all the basic needs and if he/she belongs to a poor family,the government must provide adequate facilities to them.

Every child must be educated; it is his/her right as they are the future of our nation.
Shubhangi Aggarwal,VII Hilltop
Venkateshwar International School,Dwarka

If you want to make a nation’s future bright,start with the children. Children are the pride of the nation. They are not only the future power,but also the present. Yet every day,thousands of children wake up in the morning not to go to school,but to make their ways into factories,to beg on the streets and to work in a rich man’s house. They come back home not to do their homework,but crave for a complete meal. Children are easier victims for trafficking as they don’t ask questions and can survive on minimal needs. In our country,where children are thought to be God’s messengers,some don’t even get to drink clean water.

And yet,thousands of children donate their toys and books to organisations. We need to encourage children to work on social issues and show their creativity and fight against child labour.
Benazeer Hena,VII A
St Paul’s School,Hauz Khas

Children’s rights,as spelled out by the United Nations,demand a child’s right to survival,full development,and protection from harmful influences,abuse and exploitation,and full participation in family,cultural,and social life. However,millions of children are still being deprived of their basic rights. There is need to provide these deprived children the happiness that they long for. Promotion and protection of their rights is a challenging issue. Though the state assumes the responsibility of protecting their rights,it is not possible to bring about a complete change unless there is active participation from the society.

The best way to bring about change is to make people more aware of the exploitation children undergo. Public campaigns may prove effective. Stricter laws against violation of their rights and promotion of organisations dealing with these issues are other possible solutions.
Nihkil Jain,IX
Venkateshwar International School,Dwarka

A child has the right to study,get enough food and proper shelter. There are many children who are bereft of basic necessities. At least 35 lakh children,aged between 6 and 14 years,do not attend school. More than 17 lakh children in India work.

At present,there are many people forcing children to work for them. They are missing their studies and get no proper shelter. We can see many children begging on the streets today. They also have right to study but don’t get the opportunity. How can we help these children? We can ask the government to provide proper shelter to these children. We can donate money to organisations that work for these children. People practising child labour should be punished.
Manan Goyal,VII Hilltop
Venkateshwar International School,Dwarka