Global child rights

Global Child Rights Name Institution Course Code and Title Instructor Date Global Child Rights Executive Summary Children are considered valuable in India and thus the country has recognized the rights fundamental to their protection. The rights have been covered under the country’s constitutions besides adopting the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child standards. Children are classified as individuals under the age of 18 and are entitled to the rights without bias. It is therefore fundamental for children to have a supportive home, quality healthcare, and social services such as education. In this paper, we look at how India has upheld the four guiding principles of the UNCRC which are non-discriminatory and, in the best interest of the child. Life, survival development, and participation. the paper provides an analysis by first looking at key terms such as UNCRC, the four guiding principles, and relevant national legislation for India. A historical assessment of how children's rights have evolved in the country including legislatives adopted to promote children's rights protection. The assessment helps understand steps India has taken to protect children’s welfare through signing important partnerships such as the UNHCR. The paper then delves into assessing the four guiding principles by recognizing how the country has upheld recommendations to help overcome challenges that hinder the effective implementation of child welfare policies. Lastly, the paper looks at how the country has shared its policies internationally and positively impacted children's rights protection. Issue Definition Children under the age of 18 years in India comprise a significant percentage of the country’s population. More than 70% of the children reside in rural areas due to negative repressions thus the inability to access crucial necessities such as healthcare, education, food, and protection (Kumar & Lakhtakia, 2020). However, the country has made strategies to curb the issue through establishing India’s Commission for the Protection of Children Rights Act 2005. The commission has promoted the adherence to laws and regulations relating to policies, programs, and administrative mechanisms for child rights. Therefore, some of the important terms relating to children's rights in India are; 1 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international coalition that dictates the civil, economic, social, political, health, and cultural rights of children sanctioned in 1992. 2 Four guiding principles of the UNCRC. First, is non-discrimination which discourages any form of discrimination against children. Second, actions relating to children should be in the best interest of their well-being. Third, children have a right to live, survive, and develop (UNICEF, 2024). Fourth, children have a participatory right that allows them to express their opinions freely. 3 National legislation – India has established Acts that relate to children's rights. First is the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 incorporated to adjust the juvenile justice system into a protective, caring, and rehabilitation of children conflicting with the law and in need of care and protection. Second is the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009 warrants free compulsory education to all children between the ages of six and fourteen (UNICEF, 2024). Further, the act compels discrimination by setting standards for curriculum, infrastructure, and teacher qualifications. Historical summary of the development of children's rights in India During ancient times, the Indian culture valued traditions of sacrifice, donation, non-violence, mercy, and equality. Human rights principles are therefore deeply rooted since the Vedic era while children's rights emerged in the twentieth century. Persistent bias on children based on gender, age, castle, and kinship has however lasted since the laws of the Manu era when children were ranked quite low in the social pyramid. Foreign invasions had a significant impact on India’s economy and socio-cultural philosophy. The effects affected children as families could not get sufficient nutrition and other basic needs including basic education, especially to the poor and girls. Children continued to be oppressed under British imperialism while leaders like Mahatma Gandhi fought for the country’s freedom and restoration of culture (Briggs, 2021). The country embraced a socio-action that focused on bringing up children in the right way thus social concerns for children started to matter. This was enforced through the establishment of various laws such as the Apprentices Act and Reformatory Schools Act that were favorable to the development and growth of children. The emergence of the Declaration of Geneva in 1924 recognized children's rights and the adult’s responsibility in caring for and protecting children's welfare lawfully. Post-independence era, India adopted significant strategies to protect children, its constitution of 1950 comprised the important rights and principles for children. The country established the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) that coordinated children's welfare programs. Despite the country’s efforts, there persisted high rates of child labor, education inaccessibility, and child marriages. Additionally, the country partnered with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and UNCRC which protects and cares for children globally. Principle 1: Right to non-discrimination Indian Government has tried to curb discrimination through the adoption of affirmative actions that address socially backward groups' issues for example the scheduled castes. The constitution underpins laws that advocate for equality and non-discrimination however, there are challenges across the country in achieving this....