WHO CARES?

Child protection is not an easy space to work in. Imagine representing a group of individuals who are unaware of their needs, rights and abilities. They do not have a voice in society and are incapable of taking any independent decision or action. Even if they are able, are they being heard? How do we help them? How do we determine what is in their best interest? How do we give them a voice when their lives are at the mercy of guardians, the education system and the State? Who is checking on them and who cares? 

I'm not one to indulge in data. In child rights I have seen more offences being neglected than reported. A child being admitted into an unregistered school is a violation. Likewise, employing a child below 14 years as domestic help or discriminating between children under any circumstances is also a violation of child rights. The data available on these violations is far from reality. The motivation behind my interest in the subject is ‘The Law’. Provisions set out by our Constitution not only protect but can also ensure the wellbeing of our children. Indian law for children is comprehensive, holistic and rehabilitative in nature. It is not only culturally relevant but is also completely aligned with the international standards of child rights. The fault is not in the law but in its execution. Who do we hold responsible for this? Out of school children, malnourished children, homeless children, orphans, victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination are testimony to society’s lack of concern for children. Do numbers matter? We can look around us and answer for ourselves. Personally, after 15 years of working in the sector with children, parents, guardians, communities, educators, professionals, NGOs, philanthropists and the government, I have realised that no single stakeholder is responsible for child wellbeing. It is a collaborative effort and when all these stakeholders are united, they form what we call, ‘Society’. 

In 2013, a few years after the enforcement of the RTE Act 2009, we attempted to integrate children with disabilities into mainstream schools. Parents of these children were reluctant not because they thought their child was incapable, but because they were unsure whether parents of other children would cooperate. Rightly so, the resistance from schools, the government and parents was shocking. In the last 2 years, 100% of the parents who have approached me for a violation of their child’s rights have refused to appeal officially to the concerned authorities like the school, education department, government or the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights for action. The fear of being expelled from the school, the child bearing the brunt of the complaint, being cornered, appeals being ignored by state agencies, time delays, incompetence of professionals involved etc have all led to the loss of faith in the entire system. However, has the child received justice? Have his rights been restored? Do we need to wait for a child to commit suicide or be abused or get dragged into crime before we can give them our attention? 

This has made me believe that for any sustainable change, society must desire it. Without participation from the community, change is not only meaningless, but it is also impossible. Awareness, accountability and action by civil society are the building blocks for social, political and economic prosperity. With a vigilant society a government has no scope to slack and a compassionate one is the ideal space for children to thrive.

What would it take for us to construct such a ‘Society for the Child’?