Shri M.M. Mani, Hon’ble Minister for Electricity,
Shri Justice Shaji P. Chaly, Hon’ble Justice and Chairperson Juvenile Justice Commission, Kerala High Court,
Shri Joyce George MP,
Shri P.J. Joseph MLA,
Reverend Father Vincent Nedungattu, Principal, Newman College,
Shri K. Jeevan Babu IAS, District Collector,
Shri S. Sreejith IPS, IG, Crime Branch of Police,
Shri P. Suresh, Chairperson, Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights,
Sister Biji Jose CMC, Member, Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights,
Shri P.G. Gopalakrishnan Nair, Chairman, Child Welfare Committee, Idukki,
Smt. N. Sreela Menon, Member, Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights,
Shri M.P. Antoni, Member, Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights,
Shri C.J. Antony, Member, Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights,
Priyappetta Kochu Koottukaare,
Friends in media,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
It gives me great joy to address you at the celebration of the Child Rights Week, organized by the Kerala State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights.
Addressing a large gathering of children is inspiring for many reasons. When I address children, I feel I am addressing the future citizens of India. Secondly, being with children is like undertaking a journey to one's childhood. And most importantly, when I address children in Kerala, I realize that I am addressing the representatives of 27.7 per cent of the population of Kerala.
Let me therefore, compliment the Kerala State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights for organizing such a programme with the aim of creating awareness in children about their rights, privileges and above all, the protective measures available in our State to safeguard them. The Commission has been effectively leading the efforts to protect and promote every right for every child through actions and orders in the best interests of the child. It has also been leading the observance of Child Rights Week for the last four years. As we all know, the observance of Child Rights Week began on 14th November, which is celebrated as Children's Day in India.
It is well known that Kerala has achieved enviable levels in the well being of children, human development etc. Though the State Government has increased the per capita spending on children, new challenges of different nature are emerging on a daily basis. For instance, the issues faced by children living in urban and rural areas are different and the problems of children in the marginalized sections of society may require a specific approach. We also have children living in orphanages, slums, streets etc. Some may be victims of abuse. The children of fishing communities, tribal areas, migrant families etc., are perhaps more vulnerable to unhealthy situations. The State has to ensure significant progress in the quality of life and opportunities for development of all these diverse categories of children.
I would like to tell the children that in old days, that is fifty or sixty years ago, the children were not as fortunate as the children of today. In our childhood, we accepted whatever our elders offered us, because we thought we were entitled to rights only after growing up as adults. Today, children form almost 40% of the population of this country and we have many statutory bodies like Child Welfare Committees (CWC), Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) and District Child Protection Units functioning in all districts. We also have the CHILDLINE service, in all 14 districts. Above all, we are unanimous in our resolution to protect the rights of children.
The rights of children are important because children are the greatest assets of a nation. They should be seen as the foundation on which we shall build a strong, vibrant and dynamic India. Gandhiji believed that the law of love could be best understood and learned through little children. 'Catch them young' is the philosophy all over the world, because it has been proven that any social change has to begin with the creation of awareness among children.
Most of you would be aware of some of the Child Rights that cannot be denied in any Institution. For example, every school should have one toilet for every 25 girls and 40 boys. Though Kerala's toilet coverage is almost 100%, this target in schools are yet to be fulfilled. I feel that our MPs and MLAs should spend a portion of the ‘Constituency Fund’ earmarked under ‘MP Local Area Development scheme’ to construct Toilets in Schools. I also feel that the decision to have vending machines in schools for Sanitary napkins is a laudable step.
I must compliment the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which came into being on 3rd June 2013 for regularly giving recommendations, reviews and reports about the violation of rights of the children in the State. Its orders regarding the restriction on Vacation classes, the relaxation on dress code, directions to institutions to enforce the rights of children etc., have had a great impact.
The Commission's recent initiative to create awareness on child rights at the local self government level for effective protection mechanisms would help to achieve the goal of a Child friendly Kerala. The Child Protection Committees at the grassroots level need to be strengthened further. Similarly, I hope that the Foster Care programme, which is powered by the firm belief that every child has the right to a family, will also contribute to a Kerala model in child friendliness.
While we are proud of the awareness levels of people in Kerala, there is a disappointment in terms of the high number of The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act(POCSO) cases and the low conviction rate in the cases registered under the Act. As per the report of the National Crime Records Bureau last year, Kerala had stood second in the number of sexual offences against children.
I had read recently that of the 2,093 cases booked under the Act from January to December, 2016 in Kerala, only about 387 cases had reached the trial stage within a year and the conviction rate was a mere 8.7 per cent. This certainly is alarming and not in tune with the high standards Kerala has achieved.
Offenses against children are not a new phenomenon; in fact it has been happening in the past too. Lack of awareness about one's rights had perhaps prevented such cases being reported. Now that the cases are on the increase, it is essential that child rights be included in different levels of the syllabus of education. Such information should also reach students through simple booklets.
We often hear complaints about our children's addiction to the digital gadgets like mobile phones, tablets and video games. Some children also fall prey to the traps in the on-line world. The solution is not to ban the use of such devices, but to use their possibilities to educate children. If children are fond of mobile and other electronic games, why not think of interactive Mobile Apps and Games that would educate children on their rights and duties?
Most importantly, children should be empowered to be vigilant about violations of child rights around them. If a classmate or a friend is facing such a problem, a child should help by reporting such issues. Every child should also know the importance of Gender equality and the need to lend support to differently abled children.
In conclusion, I would say that it is not sympathy that the children deserve from parents, teachers, and society, but the recognition as individuals with their due rights in all spheres. It is our duty to empower our children with the full knowledge of their rights since for a nation, there is no asset more valuable than a child. An empowered child of today is a promise of the prosperity of our future.
I hope that the Child Rights Week celebration would succeed in empowering our children with the knowledge about rights and duties so that the destiny of India would be safe in their hands.
I once again greet all the children taking part in this programme and wish them all success in life.
I also compliment the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
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