'New scheme to protect child rights'

Speaking to media persons at an interaction programme organised by the Journalists Study Centre at Sahodaya on Friday, the Child Rights Commissioner expressed her concern over the increased trend of Child Rights violation in the form of sexual abuse, child trafficking, child labour and violation of Right to Education (RTE). Touching various aspects of Child Rights, she said juvenile health centres will be opened in few of the hospitals in all the districts, to facilitate the medical intervention of sexually abused and molested children. On a pilot project basis, the doctors have been trained in few of the hospitals in Bangalore as to intervene and offer special treatment to these children. “We intend to open such centres in every district in the days to come,” she informed.

Explaining the other plans and programmes by the Child Rights Commission for the welfare of the children, Nina Nayak said Children’s Grama Sabha will be started in all the schools from the next academic year. A new concept called ‘Integrated Child Protection Scheme’ (ICPS) will be introduced to protect the child rights. The Child Protection Societies will be opened in every district for the effective implementation of the scheme, she said.

When asked to speak about the Child Rights Commission in general, Nayak said there is a need for more power for the effective functioning of the Commission. At present, the Commission is entitled to receive complaints, study them and submit the reports. But we require the power to punish the offenders, she said. Unlike earlier, the Commission is full-fledged now with enough number of staff, but then its workers require full time status for the effective functioning. “Except the chairperson, none of the five Commission members are full time workers,” she informed.

Child Rights meeting

Prajna Counselling Centre Head Hilda Rayappan urged the district administration to hold meetings once in two months to discuss the child rights related issues. “We are disappointed at the fact that the district administration has not called for any meetings in the last four years for the above cause. Thus I request the Deputy Commissioner to chair the meeting which should consist of NGOs, members of Child Welfare Committee, media persons and the police,” she said.

CWC President Asha Nayak, child rights activist Renny D’Souza, CRC member Dr Madhu were present.