Centre drafts child protection policy

Centre drafts child protection policy

News:

The Ministry of Women and Child Development drafts child protection policy to curb the instances of abuse of minors in shelter homes and child care institutions.

Important Facts:

• This will be the first policy dedicated to the protection of children, an area that until now was only a part of the broader National Child Policy, 2013.
• The current policy draws upon the safeguards provided under the Constitutions of India, various child-centric legislation, international treaties as well as other existing policies for the protection and wellbeing of children
• It provides a framework for all institution, and organization (including corporate and media houses), government or private sector to understand their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding/ protecting children and promoting the welfare of children; individually and collectively.

Important Provisions:

• A policy has four aspects — creating awareness, prevention, reporting and responding,
• Provided code of conduct for employees of all organisations and a declaration signed by them agreeing to ensure the safety of children
• As per the draft, the policy will apply to “all institutions, and organisations (including corporate and media houses), government or private sector
• It recommends that all organisations must have a code of conduct based on “zero tolerance of child abuse and exploitation”.
• It requires organisations to lay down that employees don’t use language or behavior that is “inappropriate, harassing, abusive, sexually provocative, demeaning or culturally inappropriate”.
• Institutions should also designate a staff member to ensure that procedures are in place to ensure the protection of children as well as to report any abuse
• The document also comprises a list of behaviors towards children that are punishable by law, including the POCSO and JJ Acts

Major Criticism:

• It doesn’t talk about children who may need additional special protection measures: including those affected by migration, communal or sectarian violence, children forced into begging or in conflict with the law, and those infected with HIV/AIDS.
• Policy is silent on the role of the state for ensuring the protection of child rights or addressing local grievances.
• While it talks about organisations laying down a code of conduct, it doesn’t explain what is acceptable behavior such as conduct of teachers in schools

Way Forward:

• The document needs to define what child protection is as well as what it means by institutions or organisations.
• Norms should be designed in such a way that organisations can customize their policies according to the nature of their work, thereby, giving them a sense of ownership on safeguarding children’s rights.
• The government should use the opportunity which goes beyond the role of institutions and look at the role of individuals.