Child Rights

Child Rights

According to Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989, 'a child means every human being below the age of eighteen years'. The Convention on the Rights of the Child was proclaimed by UN on 20th November 1989.

The child is considered as an important national asset. The future of a nation depends on how its children mature and develop. So protection of children from all kinds of exploitation and abuses has become the main objective of our society. There are laws in India protecting the rights of the children.

UNO has declared

1978 as International year of women.

1979 as the International year of children.

a. Right to Education Act

Article 21A provides that the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children aged six to fourteen years.

b. The Child Labour Act (Prohibition and Regulation Act 1986)

It provides no child who has not completed 15 years of age can be employed

c. The Juvenile Justice Act 2000 (Care and Protection of Children)

This Act tries to protect children deprived of adequate care and to reform the children by adopting child friendly approach.

d. POCSO Act 2012

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act regards the best interest of the child as being paramount importance in every state.

1098 Child Line This is India’s first 24 hours’ free emergency phone service for children in need of assistance. Special care is given for vulnerable children those affected by child labour, child marriage and children affected by any abuse.