1. HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON CO-OPERATION FOR CHILD RIGHTS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION 4-6 NOVEMBER, 2010 CHILD RIGHTS IN INDIA: CURRENT STATUS AND CHALLENGES MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

2. STRUCTURE OF PRESENTATION OVERVIEW  CHILD DEVELOPMENT  ELEMENTARY EDUCATION  SCHEME FOR ADOLOSCENT GIRLS  CHILD PROTECTION CHALLENGES SOUTH – SOUTH COOPERATION WAY FORWARD 2

3. OVERVIEW Constitutional guarantees exist for promotion and protection of child rights Independent Ministry for women and child development to:  Address gaps in State action  Enable inter-sectoral coordination and convergence National and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights constituted as statutory bodies to protect, promote and defend child rights 3

4. CHILD DEVELOPMENT Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) - largest early childhood development and care programme  Provides package of services to children up to 6 years  Dedicated infrastructure and personnel to run programme  Centres located within the village 4

5. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Elementary education is a fundamental right Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 universalises elementary education for all children 6-14 years Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for all Campaign) has increased primary school enrollment, especially for girls Government funding and support for mid day meal programme for children 6-14 years ensures children remain in school 5

6. SCHEME FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS New programme launched for empowerment of adolescent girls  Addresses gender discrimination, poverty and exclusion  Integrated package of services includes nutrition, health check-ups and education, counselling and vocational training 6

7. CHILD PROTECTION Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000  Institutional and non-institutional measures for care and protection of children in conflict with the law and in need of care and protection  Special provisions for rehabilitation and social integration of children  Partnerships with local government and communities to promote child friendly Juvenile Justice System 7

8. CHILD PROTECTION... Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) to improve well-being of children in difficult circumstances and reduce vulnerabilities Emergency outreach through Childline Services Evidence based monitoring and evaluation 8

9. CHILD PROTECTION... Legislation initiated for protecting children from sexual offences  Strengthens provisions relating to child sexual abuse  Incorporates child friendly investigation and trial procedures  Child centric Jurisprudence 9

10. CHALLENGES Improving nutritional status of children living in poorest and marginalised communities Increasing availability and access to pre-school services for children 0-6 years Bridging the gap in Early Childhood Care and Education between rural and urban areas Reducing school drop out rate Eliminating child labour 10

11. CHALLENGES … Controlling and preventing crimes against children  Trafficking  Kidnapping and abduction  Rape  Buying and selling of girls Strengthening evidence base for child protection Transforming social norms and practices  Female foeticide  Child marriage 11

12. SOUTH SOUTH COOPERATION South – South Cooperation is limited to trade and finance Limited examples of cooperation in advancing Child Rights  Capacity Building for SAARC countries  Trafficking: SAARC Convention on Combating and Prevention of Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution, 2002  Protection of Children affected by HIV/AIDS : SAARC Regional Strategic Framework  South Asia Initiative : To end Violence against Children 12

13. WAY FORWARD Combined efforts and commitment required from all stakeholders to overcome the challenges Exchange of Good Practices on a common topic of interest for all countries on regular basis Promote exchange and participation of children as an integral part of South – South Cooperation Sharing trained human resource for capacity building Helping countries with drafting of legislations by countries having successful examples 13

14. THANK YOU 14