Campaign to bring children to centrestage

They do not have vote, so their problems are of nobody's concern in the poll season. As India votes in the general elections, the issues of children seem to have remained largely absent from the agenda of the political parties.

They do not have vote, so their problems are of nobody's concern in the poll season. As India votes in the general elections, the issues of children seem to have remained largely absent from the agenda of the political parties.

HT Image

No major party has given any concrete assurance of tackling serious issues like child labour, trafficking, malnutrition and education. But child rights groups are going all out to ensure that children do not slip off the "political radar".

Two leading NGOs -- Child Rights and You (CRY) and Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) -- have launched separate initiatives to sensitise political parties and voters on issues that are affecting the lives of children.

While CRY has brought out a child rights manifesto and are interacting with leaders of various parties to communicate their demands, the BBA, along with National Coalition for Education, has started a campaign to make candidates sign letters pledging commitment to raise children's issues in Parliament.

"As the nation goes to vote, we are reminding voters that one-fourth of the country -- as many as 400 million citizens -- will not vote because they are minors. As voters and candidates, we are charged with the responsibility to see that they do not slip off the political radar," Dipankar Mazumdar, CRY Director, Youth and Development Support, said.