'Are Children an Afterthought?'

Make children the focus of all planning: Child Rights and You

New Delhi,  December 11, 2007:

On December 11 2007, marking 15 years since India ratified the UN Child Rights Convention,  Child Rights and You - CRY spoke to the media in a session that questioned and shared perspectives on lost childhoods in India. Each year, this day provides a reminder of promises and commitments made by the State to our children, many of which are yet to be fulfilled.

Year on year, statistics gives us a clear idea of how we are falling short on every front: whether in critical areas like education, health, protection or in less overt ones like gender & caste parity.

Analysing why this is so, CRY put forward the view that children

D. Ila Hukku, Director-Development Support, CRY and R B Pal, General Secretary, Voice of People at the press conference

have always occupied a hyphenated status - the child as a citizen is an alien concept. Through this forum CRY expressed the view that the State must make children the focal point and touchstone of every policy and plan made for the country. Since children's rights are linked to the community they belong to, CRY also felt the State should include voices of marginalized parents and communities when making policy and plans for children. 

The discussion forum started with a film made by the "CRY's Volunteer Citizen Journalist" initiative. The film on Singur potrays how the violence here affected children. The fact that this aspect was never highlighted is symptomatic of an approach where children are really an afterthought.

"What has the Indian State done from the day the government deposited the UN charter?" - said D. Ila Hukku, Director-Development Support, CRY. "There is a lot that has happened in the last five years, there is a National Plan of Action, The National Charter, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Integrated Child Development Scheme etc. But fundamental change is still missing. Child Rights is not a political issue. It's become just about giving what you please and not what is their right."

"Symptoms are easier to see and cure but eradicating the root cause of the problem will bring about permanent change " emphasised  R B Pal, General Secretary, Voice of People, a state alliance in UP. Today, he derives strength from the bitter experiences as a Dalit child, leading social movement for equity in Uttar Pradesh. Children are part of the community and their issues deeply affect them.

It's time we stood up for the rights of our children - log on to www.cry.org and sign the charter. Together, lets change the way the world looks at children!

About CRY:

CRY - Child Rights and You is an inclusive, participatory, people's movement that campaigns to demand universally recognised child rights for India's children. Outraged by gross violation of children's rights in India, CRY partners with developmental organisations, communities, government and the media to work towards eliminating the root causes of deprivation, exclusion, exploitation and abuse, bringing about lasting change that is equitable and just for every Indian child. Join us at www.cry.org

For further information please contact:
Delhi: Sumita Mehta: 9810549997, Meenakshi Kohli: 9811600941
Aastha Singh / Shekhar Daschowdhury - Tel. no: 9811645152  Email: aastha.singh@bm.com

Mumbai: Madhura Kapdi: 9819404757