CHILD WELFARE: LEGISLATIVE AND PROGRAMMATIC MEASURES
A. Legislative Measures:
1. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012:
Model Guidelines under the POSCO Act, 2012 were issued by the Ministry on 18th September, 2013 under Section 39 of the POSCO Act. State governments are required to make guidelines for the use of professionals to assist the child in pre-trial and trial stage. On request made by several state governments, the MWCD prepared model guidelines through consultations. Five Regional conferences on Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 were held from July to September, 2013 to spread awareness on the Act. The conferences covered all States/UTs. The participants including officers from Women Child Department, Health Department, Education Departments, SCPCRs, State Judicial Academy, Police Academy, CWC members and officers of Prosecution Administrative Academy.
2. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006:
Government of India has brought in a more progressive Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 that includes punitive measures against those who perform, permit and promote child marriage. This Act came into effect in November, 2007.As per Section 16(1) of the Act, the State Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint for the whole State, or such part thereof as may be specified in that Notification, an officer or officers to be known as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPO) having jurisdiction over the area or areas specified in the notification. Under Section 19(1) the State Government may, by Notification in the Official Gazette, make Rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has been pursuing with the State Governments for appointment of CMPOs and Notification of Rules. As per information received from States/UTs, so far, 20 States and 5 UTs have framed Rules and20 States and 6 UTs have appointed Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs).The draft Plan is under finalization.
B. Programmatic Measures:
1. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the Government of India and represents one of the world’s largest and unique programmes for early childhood care and development. It is the foremost symbol of country’s commitment to its children and nursing mothers, as a response to the challenge of providing pre-school non-formal education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality on the other. The beneficiaries under the Scheme are children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)
Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing this comprehensive Centrally Sponsored Scheme since 2009-10 through the State Government/UT Administrations on predefined cost sharing financial pattern. The objectives of the Scheme are to contribute to the improvement in the well being of children in difficult circumstances, as well as reduction of vulnerabilities to situation and actions that leads to abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment and separation of children from parent.
ICPS provides preventive, statutory care and rehabilitation services to children who are in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law as defined under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and its Amendment Act, 2006 and any other vulnerable child. It provides financial support to State Governments/UT Administrations for running services for children either themselves or through suitable NGOs. These services include
- Homes of various types for children;
- Emergency Outreach services through Childline;
- Open Shelters for children in need of care and protection in Urban and Semi Urban Areas;
- Family Based Non-Institutional Care through Sponsorship, Foster Care and Adoptions.
3. Scheme for the Welfare of Working Children in Need of Care and Protection
The scheme is being implemented since January, 2005 with the objective of providing non-formal education, vocational training etc. To working children to facilitate their entry/re-entry into mainstream education in cases where they have either not attended any learning system or where, for some reason, their education has been discontinued, with a view to prevent their future exploitation.
4. Sabla- ‘Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)
The ‘Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)–‘Sabla’, a Centrally-sponsored scheme introduced in the year 2010-11 on a pilot basis. Sabla aims at all-round development of adolescent girls of 11-18 years(with a focus on out of school girls) and is being implemented in 205 districts from all the States/UTs.
The scheme has two major components: Nutrition and Non Nutrition Component. While the nutrition component aims at improving the health & nutrition status of the adolescent girls the non-nutrition component addresses the developmental needs including IFA supplementation, health check-up & referral services, nutrition & health education, ARSH counseling /guidance on family welfare, life skill education, guidance on accessing public services and vocational training (only 16-18 year old adolescent girls).
NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY
Government of India is in the process of introducing a new national youth policy with the vision of empowering the youth of the country to achieve their full potential. The new youth policy focuses on:
- Developing the youth into a productive work force, by providing them the right to education and skills and promoting entrepreneurship.
- Developing a strong and healthy generation through effective healthcare and promotion of a healthy lifestyle and sports.
- Promoting social values and spirit of community service.
- Effectively engaging with the youth and facilitating their participation in government process.
- Inclusive policies to take care of disadvantaged sections of youth and the youth with special needs.
The government of India through the proposed new national youth policy also intends to promote ‘social entrepreneurship’ as an attractive employment proposition. This would facilitate setting up of social ventures in India by the overseas Indians.
In India, 27.5% of the population belong to the 15-29 year age group while 41.3% are in the 13-35 years age group.
By the year 2020, the population of India is expected to have a median age of 28 years only as against 38 years for US, 42 years for china and 48 years for japan; making India one of the youngest nations in the world.
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