Jaipur- As the Lok Sabha elections draw near in the country, Child Rights activists in Rajasthan are recognizing the critical importance of addressing pressing issues concerning children. There arises a pivotal opportunity to strongly advocate for child-related concerns before political parties and public representatives.

Amidst the backdrop of parties including demands for the upliftment and development of various community sections in their election manifestos, it becomes imperative to prioritize the issues of children, who constitute 45 percent of the nation's population.

Rajasthan Child Advocacy Group (R-CAG) in collaboration with various child rights collectives, has joined forces to craft a comprehensive manifesto aimed at promoting the holistic development of children.

This manifesto outlines crucial demands essential for the effective protection of child rights and advocates for their inclusion in the election manifestos of political parties.

During a meeting held at the Vivekananda Auditorium of Gayatri Seva Sansthan in Udaipur on Wednesday, experts convened to discuss the comprehensive demand letter containing 20 key demands related to child rights.

Dr. Sharad Chandra Purohit, Chairman, R-CAG emphasized the necessity of prioritizing child protection to realize the vision of a developed India.

Speaking with The Mooknayak Dr. Shailendra Pandya, a child rights expert and former member of the Rajasthan Child Commission, highlighted the importance of advocating for these demands and ensuring their inclusion in the manifestos of political parties contesting in the Lok Sabha elections.

Pandya said, " When political parties give place in their election manifestos to the demands related to the upliftment and development of various sections of the community including social development, then the issues of children below 18 years of age, who represent 45 percent of the total population of the nation, are also given importance. It is necessary that this be given priority, only then the dream of a united and strong India can come true. Keeping this in mind, R-CAG has tried to put up the important issues related to child rights through a demand letter by communicating with the children as well as by having in-depth discussions with the group members and subject experts. We not only hope but are confident that the parties will support by including these issues in their manifestos. "

Dr. Rajkumari Bhargava, an active member of RCAG and former member of the Child Welfare Committee, shed light on issues concerning disabled children and proposed policy-level interventions to address their needs.

Additionally, senior education officer Shivji Gaur underscored the significance of the Right to Education (RTE) Act and emphasized the importance of providing necessary facilities at all levels of schooling.

Dr. Rajshree Gandhi, a social worker brought attention to the unique challenges faced by children in tribal areas and advocated for targeted policies to address their needs.

The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to advocate for child rights and ensure that political parties prioritize these critical issues in their election manifestos.

Major suggestions included in the election manifesto to achieve the goal of a developed India by the year 2047:

1. Allocation of a higher percentage of the state budget to children, considering that almost half of India's population comprises children, with 43 percent of Rajasthan's total population being under the age of 18.

2. Ensuring the formation and functioning of Child Protection Committees at every Gram Panchayat and Block level, as mandated under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme/Mission Vatsalya.

3. Establishment of a sports academy at the divisional headquarters in Udaipur to empower children from tribal areas in South Rajasthan to excel in sports.

4. Implementation of a child helpline (1098) in both urban and rural areas of every district.

5. Ensuring the availability and functionality of homes designated for children in need of care and protection at divisional and district headquarters.

6. Establishment and empowerment of Bal Mitra Gram Panchayats under the Panchayati Raj Department, similar to excellent and model schools.

7. Ensuring effective implementation of provisions under the Right to Free and Compulsory Child Education Act (RTE), including student-teacher ratio, separate toilets for boys and girls, and quality nutrition.

8. Commitment to eradicate child labour, child begging, and child marriage.

9. Incorporation of vocational education and life skills into the education system.

10. Appointment of pediatricians and gynecologists at block-level government hospitals.

11. Establishment of de-addiction and counseling centers for adolescents at the district level.

12. Ensuring equitable access to scholarships, sports, and other benefits for talented children without discrimination.

13. Inclusion of genetic testing for identifying disabilities under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Vima Yojana.

14. Introduction of online safety and cyber security programs for children considering their increased use of internet and mobile devices.

15. Provision of necessary documents like Aadhaar cards and original residence proofs for destitute, abandoned, and institutionalized children, along with their inclusion in the 25 percent free admission quota in private schools under the RTE Act.

16. Inclusion of non-political individuals working on children's issues in various commissions, boards, and committees related to child protection.

17. Implementation of a 'Village Migration Register' at the Gram Panchayat level to track issues related to child trafficking, child labour, and malnutrition.

18. Introduction of a unified identification number system from birth certificate to death certificate for every citizen, using 'code number' technology.

19. Promotion of competent leadership among adolescents through activities based on democratic values in the education curriculum at the secondary level.