Orphaned children must be a policy priority

Synopsis – COVID pandemic has been a nightmare, especially for orphaned children due to the deadly second wave. Government intervention is needed to help alleviate problems related to orphan care in India.

Introduction

• Even before the COVID pandemic, society generally ignored orphan children and their problems.
• People were discriminatory towards them. Their socio-economic condition, and multiple levels of oppression that they have to face routinely, put them in a disadvantaged position.
• But their plight has been made worse by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
• It’s said that never waste a good crisis. Hence, the government can take this pandemic as an opportunity to design and implement policy-level solutions for orphan children in India.

Challenges faced by orphan children

• Fight for Survival: They have to fight really hard for their survival in the following two cases:
  • if relatives take no responsibility
  • if there is no relative to take responsibility
• No support system
  • No one to guide or provide emotional support
  • Most state govts do not allow staying beyond 18 years of age in state-supported institutions.
  • In the absence of a place to stay or a support system, many end up making wrong choices, or are drawn into a path that leads to poverty and worse.
• Problem in arranging govt documents like Aadhaar, PAN, death certificates of parents etc.

How can govt tackle the issue?
The government is legally bound by the Constitution to ensure the welfare of children. Following are some policy-level solutions that govt can implement:

• Yearly survey: A yearly survey at district and block levels to be done immediately
• Registration of information about the child’s family and the property of the child
• Supply of government documents on time
• Healthy institutional support system: Provision of a healthy institutional environment to orphaned children based on the principles of freedom, equality, fraternity, and social justice
  • Staying beyond 18 years of age should be allowed. Maharashtra government has changed the rule and allowed their stay in hostels till the age of 23
• Priority in government schemes and programs
• Inter-departmental coordination: Coordination of women and child development department that is responsible for the welfare of children with other departments like finance, higher education help and skill development, etc.
• Separate representation: As a special case, separate representation of orphan children at district and state levels and; special care for a girl child.
• Fund for orphan children: A permanent fund on the lines of a CM welfare fund
• The establishment of an IAS-level administration set-up to cater to the issues of orphan children permanently is also urgent.

These policy changes are important for inclusive long-term planning and if the state wishes to effectively implement programmes for children.

Conclusion

There is a grave need, now more than ever, to stand with orphaned children throughout their life. The support of the government is essential in their lives so that they can get rightful opportunities to lead a quality life and participate in society.

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