Patna, Oct. 8: Child Rights and You (CRY) has asked for Bihar’s help to vote for children’s rights this time.
The organisation feels that children below 18 years of age are ignored because they do not have the right to vote. CRY is here with a Child Rights Charter, which comprises of the issues affecting children’s lives in the state.
Saradindu Bandopadhyay, senior manager, development support, CRY, during a press meet in Gandhi Sangrahalaya said: “CRY is working for around 32 years across 20 states and 8,000 villages with 200 NGO partners. We want to remind voters as well as the political parties about children-related issues prevailing in Bihar. Just because children are not casting their votes, they should not be kept away from the political radar.”
Saradindu further said: “Three things should be ensured by the political parties. First of all, all children should attend schools and should be completing formal schooling. Secondly, quality nutrition and equal opportunities must be ensured for the children. Thirdly, children have to be protected from child labour, abuse and trafficking.” He also said that child rights should be incorporated in the political manifesto of the parties.
CRY along with its partners is working on a grass-root level for the implementation of child rights. Saradindu said that CRY is working not only for child rights to be incorporated in the manifesto, but it is aiming at going much beyond. Incorporation of child rights in the manifestos is just a positive step towards that goal.
Sanat Sinha, chief co-ordinator, Bal Sakha, said: “Unless and until there is a demand-making mechanism, changes are not made easily. Therefore, NGOs are trying to first make people realise the issues and then demands should be coming from their side.”
Rajeev Ranjan, convenor, Bihar Lok Adhikar Manch was also present on the occasion. He said that children should be taken as a personality on the whole. People should realise that they should be provided with their rights and their participation is much important.
