Govt comes out with draft national policy for children

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Ensuring survival, health and nutrition as an inalienable right of every child and special care for kids caught in sectarian violence are some of the features of the government's Draft National Policy for Children, 2012.

The Women and Child Development (WCD) ministry, which has revised the National Policy for Children for the first time since it was adopted in 1974, has now put the draft policy, which defines any individual below the age of 18 years as child, in public domain inviting views before it is finalised.

According to ministry officials, the policy would guide and inform all laws, policies, plans and programmes affecting children and all other actions of national, state and local Governments in relation to population below 18 years.

Amongst the key priorities listed in the draft are making survival, health, nutrition, development, education, protection and participation undeniable rights of every child.

As per the policy draft, every child has a right to be safeguarded against hunger, deprivation and malnutrition and the State would commit to securing this right through access, provision and promotion of required services and supports for holistic nurturing.

The State shall also take all necessary measures to improve maternal health care secure the right of the girl child and address discrimination of all forms in schools and foster equal opportunity.

As per the draft policy, the state would take special protection measures to secure the rights and entitlements of children in difficult circumstances, in particular but not limited to, children affected by migration, displacement, communal or sectarian violence, civil unrest, disasters etc.

Children of women in prostitution, children forced into prostitution and other abused and exploited children, those affected by HIV/AIDS, children with disabilities would also be eligible for protection by the state.

As per the draft policy, the state would also ensure that children are made aware of their rights and provided opportunities and support to develop skills.

The draft note stated that the State shall promote and strengthen respect for the views of the child, especially those of the girl child and of children from minority groups or marginalised communities, within the family, community, schools and institutions and different levels of governance including in judicial and administrative proceedings that concern them.

The draft also advocated a National Coordination and Action Group (NCAG) for Children to monitor progress and ensure that the principles of the policy are implemented.

As per the draft note a comprehensive review of this policy will be taken up once in five years in consultation with all stakeholders, including children. The Ministry of Women and Child Development will lead the review process.

According to WCD officials, the government had in 1974 adopted the National Policy for Children, but with the globalisation and development, new challenges had emerged, which necessitated a revision of this policy.