New Delhi, September 13, 2018: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in association with ChildFund India today released the “Handbook for Ending Violence against Children” at India Habitat Center, New Delhi. The Handbook was released by Chief Guest-Hon’ble Justice Mr. Madan B Lokur, Judge, Supreme Court of India, in the presence of host of dignitaries from various fields, who attended the event to support the initiative.
The issue is related to Exploitation of Children and Violence against them, which is prevalent in India and all over the World. Interpersonal violence, or violence between individuals that takes place at homes, schools, workplaces and communities, is one of the many harms experienced by Children. It is essential to prevent violence in childhood as its bad effects are pernicious and may continue from generation to generation.According to the National Crime Records Bureau Report, there has been a considerable rise in the number of registered cases of crimes against children from 2009.
Child protection refers to the fundamental right of every child to be protected from neglect, discrimination, violence and abuse (emotional, physical and sexual), and economic and sexual exploitation while in the care of any individual, institution, system, or authority.
To strengthen the Rights of Children in India, ChildFund India in association with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), has developed an overarching multi stakeholder framework to prevent violence against children. This includes operating procedures for key stakeholders under various legislations related to protection of our children.
In this endeavor, ChildFund has worked closely with the NCPCR, child protection specialists and legal experts. The work comprises of 3 volumes; 1) Situational analysis of childhood violence in India; 2) Demystification and unpacking of laws related to protection of children and 3) User handbook of procedures related to key stakeholders mandated for protecting and combating childhood violence. These documents will be used by different stakeholders as guideline for enforcement of laws and procedures to create a safe environment and end violence against children.
The release of this handbook is also a step towardsstrengthening of child protection systems in India.
ChildFund India will be taking the same to the states which are critical on child protection indicators through its program operations so that it can periodically assess the efficiency and impact. The operations will encompass capacity building of key stakeholders as well as working withgrassroots level implementing organizations on community centered initiatives.
Speaking on the release of the Handbook, Neelam Makhijani, CEO and Country Director, ChildFund India said, “ChildFund resolutely believes that all children have an inherent and universal right to a life free from violence, abuse and exploitation. We are making persistent efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals with special focus on Sub Goal 16.2 – towards ending all forms of abuse, exploitation and violence against children by integrating Child Protection in all its programs. I am grateful to NCPCR in believing in ChildFund India’s* extended support for framing a robust and holistic framework and for setting steps towards a global mandate for ending violence against children. I hope that this information will be used by duty-bearers to protect and safeguard our children so that they can realize their full potential and achieve their dreams!”
Ms. StutiKacker, Chairperson, NCPCR said, “I am thankful to ChildFund India for supporting this initiative.The Handbook is an attempt to initiate discussion and dialogue on the importance of preventing violence amongst Children. It highlights the propensity of childhood violence and the importance of prevention strategies in this regard, thereby creating and enabling environment for children to survive, grow and thrive. There is a well-documented and significant global body of research that supports the importance of preventing childhood violence. Violence-prevention is imperative from the perspective of every Child’s right to live with dignity and free from fear. I hope this document will help in creating new policies and programs that can help reduce and prevent violence in childhood. I thank Ms. Ramya Subrahmanian and her associates who very willingly contributed to the development of Volume-I pertaining to laying of the foundation of this Handbook.”
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