child related issues

The practice of corporal punishment is often adopted by teachers, to implement discipline, among students. Corporal punishment is an extreme breach of children’s right to protection, besides being a form of physical/mental violence. As per Indian law, corporal punishment amounts to human rights violations too. According to the official report of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, conducted in 2007, on child abuse, two out of every three students are physically abused. Further, 73% of boys face physical punishment as compared to 65% of girls.  All of this makes children fear teachers and become miserable in class. However, most of the students choose to suffer silently, rather than reporting the matter to parents or to others.

In India, it is a fact that young girls, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds, are at a higher risk of being sexually exploited than boys. Several surveys conducted way back in 1987, reported that 20 percent of women prostitutes are actually minors. 

Many crimes are committed by children in India, so are crimes being done against them. Children related laws and issues continue to pose serious concern in different parts of the country. In the years 2003 - 2004, India witnessed a rise of 7.9 percent in offences committed by minors. These offences include arson, theft and cheating by minors who are in the age group of 16 to 18 years. Indian law addresses the issue through the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The Act was enforced in April 2001 and replaced the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986. The Act has laid down a uniform juvenile justice system throughout India.

Bal Panchayat has emerged as an effective medium for empowering children by involving them in decisions about their welfare and other matters. Modeled on the concept of Gram Panchayats, the Bal Panchayat comprises eight to sixteen members, has a president and a secretary elected by the children of the respective village. Introduced in several districts of the states of Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat and Rajasthan, these parallel self government units have been supported by the United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF). The purpose of these Bal Panchayats is to make children conscious of their rights and encourage their participation in addressing issues such as child marriage, education, cleanliness of villages and health facilities. These children, in turn, have been instrumental in making adults aware of their responsibilities.