Children speak up against Child Labour
On the eve of International Anti Child Labour Day

Charter of Demands drawn to help 17 million Indian children live their childhood."

New Delhi, June 11, 2005 : Working children divested of a right to a proper childhood will present a charter of demands to government representatives at a meet organised today at the Constitution Club, New Delhi on the eve of International Anti Child Labour Day.

Spearheaded by CRY and supported by the Delhi-based child rights NGO, CHETNA, this is an interactive meet where children will speak on their lives, why they have been forced to work and how they see their future. Adding further perspective to this situation are representatives from the government, the NGO sector and a panel of experts comprising representatives from CRY, Chetna, leading legal activist, Ashok Aggarwal and Trade Union Congress General Secretary, Amarjeet Kaur.

Following a spate of incidents relating to child labour most recently in Delhi and Mumbai, this initiative of CRY is done with the belief that social change is possible only through collective action and community mobilization.

After 57 years of independence and over a decade of India being signatory to the United Nations Convention on Child Rights, children in India continue to be society's most neglected segment. Statistics reveal that there are close to 17 million child laborers in India - the highest in the world. Ignorance of children's rights has lead to easy violation of laws meant to protect and empower them. In homes, on the streets and in sweatshops, children are being exploited by the thousands.

Ms. Bondana Dutta, Director (North and East), CRY says, "Children have distinct rights guaranteed under the constitution and that these rights need to be ensured to them as a matter of national priority. The normal response to children's needs is largely welfare oriented and charitable. This needs to change. We hope this initiative results in valuable insights into the existing situation of children engaged in child labour which needs to be tackled by the State."

Speaking on the occasion Subhasis Chakraborti, General Manager Development Support, CRY says "Legislation in our country is not only inadequate but it also lacks implementation. For instance, the 1986 Constitutional Act which prohibits the employment of children in hazardous industries has not been adhered to. Moreover, the demarcation on between hazardous and non hazardous work is fig leaf. Collectively, all working children feel that child labour needs to be completely abolished. This Charter of Demands is a first step."

Fifteen year old Saurabh who sells soft drinks at Delhi's India Gate stated "The government needs to form a separate department to look into the specific needs of children"

CRY believes that in India child labour is largely the outcome of social inequality. The numbers are alarming because child rights have not been understood or taken seriously. And most importantly, children cannot fight back. Rather than symptomatic relief, what is required and what is the thrust of CRY's agenda is to address the socio-economic factors that make for this vulnerability. A transformation is possible through empowerment by ensuring good quality education for all children without discrimination. This, CRY believes is possible when citizens hold the state accountable for ensuring child rights and pressurize them into action.

About CRY:
The premier Indian Child Rights organisation, CRY believes that every child is entitled to basic rights of survival, protection, development and participation. In a word, to childhood!

Since its inception 26 years ago, CRY has learned that ensuring these in a sustainable manner is only possible when grassroots action is combined with community empowerment, active citizenship and advocacy.

Started in 1979, today CRY partners close to 200 child development projects across India. In its 25th year, CRY initiated a citizen's movement to restore the rights of children. Today, its symbol, the pinwheel called the  as "Free-a-Child Chakri", represents freedom for all India's children.

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For further information:

CRY-Child Rights and You
Meenakshi Kohli
meenakshi.kohli@crymail.org