[Reader-list] [Fwd: Let’s make a better Democracy- Let’s Vote for Child Rights!][

[Mitoo Das]

Dear Anupam,
The message was send to me by a friend at CRY who had requested me to 
post it for him. I had forwarded it and guess should not have taken that 
option. This converted the message into an attachment (which ultimately 
did not get displayed :-P). Sending it again. Hopefully you can see it now.
Best,
Mitoo.



Let’s make a better Democracy- Let’s Vote for Child Rights!
 
The nation goes to vote from 16th and 40% of Indians - 400 million 
Indians - will not punch the button. Because they are children.
Without the right to choose their political leaders, children cannot 
directly ensure that:
* 70 of every 1000 children born do not die each year
*Every 2nd child under 5 is not malnourished
* All children are in school and complete formal schooling  : the 52% 
children who are out of school are enrolled and ensured complete formal 
schooling
* All children have access to adequate nutrition and equal opportunities
* Children are protected from child labour, abuse and trafficking
But YOU can!
Child rights can only become central to a country’s political agenda if 
its people choose to make it priority by ensuring government 
accountability to actualize the rights of children. Children must be 
looked on as equal citizens, entitled to equal rights. So when you vote 
this time, voice the rights of children - think of children, think of 
the promises we made to them in our Constitution to live a life of 
dignity that must include food, health, shelter, education, protection 
and play.  
This election, CRY - Child Rights and You, seeks to rAaise public 
awareness on the state of children in India and unite people to stand up 
and demand what is right.
We call out to each and every one of YOU – India’s electorate - to hold 
representatives, contesting candidates, political parties and policy 
makers accountable for child rights by demanding specific 
non-negotiables from the government. Working with India’s children for 
the past 30 years, we know that we will bring in the day when all 
children are ensured their right to the childhood they deserve. And with 
your voice, we firmly believe we will.
Child Rights Charter
• The definition of a child to be universally applicable to all persons 
under the age of 18 years, thereby amending discrepancies in policies 
and acts affecting children.
• Increase government expenditure on children. Specifically increase 
expenditure on education to 10% and health to 7% of GDP.
• The government should ensure that all children age 6-18 years, without 
discrimination, should be in government formal, full-time schools that 
provide quality education in their own villages/hamlets/in the 
neighbourhood. .  All children below 6 years should be in anganwadis
• The RTE Bill (Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 
2008) should be redrafted to reflect the true sprit of children’s right 
to education. Privatization and commercialization of education to be 
discouraged.
• Immediate provision of nutritious mid-day meals in all primary schools 
and extension of this scheme to include all children including 
out-of-school children right through the year. Make available Integrated 
Child Development Services to all children under the age of six years, 
as per the Supreme Court order of November 2001.
• Complete prohibition on all forms of child labour across sectors 
including agriculture. All working children and child labourers to be 
brought into the formal school system with special emphasis on girl 
children who are engaged in household work and child-care.
• Revision of the National Policy for Children (1974) to make it more 
comprehensive and in line with the Constitution and the United Nations 
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Formulate and implement a comprehensive rights-based policy on food 
security for all with extensive legal safeguards, in order that no child 
goes to bed hungry and no child is born underweight and stay 
undernourished. The criteria for defining the poverty line and therefore 
coverage under the Public Distribution System (PDS) for food should be 
revised. Universalize PDS.
• Enactment and implementation of effective legislation for preventing 
and prohibiting sexual abuse of children and trafficking of children
• Education to be inclusive so that children with disabilities are also  
ensured equal opportunities to be integrated into mainstream society
• For children living in conflict-affected areas, ensure children’s 
fundamental rights, including the right to protection, to education and 
to live with their family.
The demands above can be effectively realised only when larger issues, 
closely linked to children’s rights, are ensured. Some of these are:
• Migration and displacement lead to disruption in children’s 
development, access to education and health facilities making them 
vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. To prevent this it is critical to
* Prevent lop sided development that induces displacement of the 
marginalized communities.
*Alter Special Economic Zone Act 2005, preventing misappropriation of 
land, ensuring that the marginalized are not exploited. Put in place and 
implement an effective rehabilitation and resettlement policy
* Reformulate the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission 
(JNNURM) where the government shoulders its responsibility, rather than 
promoting Public-Private partnerships, in order to effectively uphold 
the housing rights of urban poor
* Implement land reform policies that will prevent migration and enable 
children to develop within their communities and geography.
* Withdraw the Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) Notification 2006 and 
Implement Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 1991 as an Act so as to protect 
natural resources and the customary rights of coastal communities.
*Implement Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 which 
allows tribal communities greater control over forest resources.
* Repeal Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) 
Act 2003 which commodifies common property resources.    
• Ensure living and equal wages for all adults to enable them to protect 
their children’s rights.
• Revision of the agriculture policy to protect small and marginal farmers
• Social security for all including unorganized workers be guaranteed 
and implemented to safeguard their rights.
• Ensure the right to housing for families so that every child has the 
right to safe space.
• Ensure that communalism be countered in order to prevent atrocities 
against minorities and ensure the basic rights for all.  Establish 
secular practices in society and polity.
• Ensure that basic human rights are protected during counter-terrorism 
operations. The Indian government to stop supporting war efforts both 
within and outside its boundaries.
Vote for someone:
1. Who will work to ensure rights of all children, their health, 
education, and over all development
2. Who will work for enhancing social security, employment 
opportunities, peace and prosperity of all
3. Who will not create divisiveness or spread hatred, communalism and 
violence in society
VOTE FOR TODAY VOTE FOR TOMORROW......CRY -CHILD RIGHTS AND YOU
                                             WWW.CRY.ORG