New Delhi: National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairperson Shantha Sinha on Tuesday said, “The urgent realisation and effective implementation of the rights of the children are crucial for social justice and democracy.”
Commemorating the World Day Against Child Labour in collaboration with UNICEF and International Labour Organisation (ILO), Ms Sinha said, “Children matter and their childhood has to be secure as we commemorate the day to recall the commitments made by our leaders at the time of Independence.”
Referring to various provisions of Constitution protecting the child rights, she said, “In the initial draft it was proposed to provide free and compulsory primary education for all children but Father of the Constitution B R Ambedkar felt that as Article 24 prohibits employment of children below the age of 14 years, they will have to be kept occupied in some educational institutions and it was widened to accomodate children upto 14 years, going beyond primary education.”
She maintained that legal exploitation of millions of children continues unabated due to the definition of child labour being non-universal. Ms Sinha expressed hope that the Child Labour Act is amended soon to bring it in harmony with the Right to Education Act and all forms of child labour stand abolished without drawing a distinction between hazardous and non-hazardous child labour.
She also hope that there are strong legal instruments to abolish all forms of child labour for adolescents in the age group of 14 to 18 years, therefore, recommends definition of child to be extended upto 18 years of age and six per cent of GDP to be invested for education.
She also read the joint statement by NCPCR, ILO and UNICEF on the occasion, “Today – We reiterate and renew our commitment towards ensuring justice for all children by enabling them to celebrate their right to grow, free from child labour and receiving an education of quality in a formal school.” “Children are not only the adults of tomorrow, but they are citizens today and they need protection now. It is essential that our society provides them with just and equitable opportunities for their growth and development,” it added. (UNI)