On April 22nd, 2022, Surokhit Shaishav, Promoting safe childhood in West Bengal organized a one-day capacity building session on ‘The National Child Labour Project – key strategies and the role of state child protection commission and civil society for the program team at Kolkata. 

“Each child is important, unique and has potential for good transformation. No child is a criminal by birth,” were the opening remarks by Mr Santosh V Shinde, Members State Commission for the protection of child rights – Government of Maharashtra the resource person for the day.  

He elaborated on concepts of Child Rights and his involvement in framing of Child Rights Policy of Maharashtra and the State Budget for the welfare of Children. Being part of the child rights commission of Maharashtra, he spoke on the perspective of government initiatives of new strategies and new ways of upholding the cause. He highlighted on Juvenile Justice System of Maharashtra and at large nation wise and networking systems. Also elaborated on child-friendly environment and spaces as a prerequisite to ensure safety and wellbeing for children. 

Child Labour is a widespread phenomenon in India, we need to stop the compartmentalization of children. A holistic approach is needed to be taken by Government and Civil Societies in dealing with different issues of children. Mere child-friendly corners are not enough, a change and unpacking of attitudes and behaviour of person dealing with children should be Friendly!

The stage of development of children was the next point of discussion. From the very conception stage, the rights of a child commence.

There are different stages, what is most important is the feeling of being safe and secure at every point. He elaborated on what the law says about who is a child – as per Juvenile Justice Act Section – 2, 12 and 35- it stated that the child below the age of 18 years. Not less than 17 years 365 days. 

UNCRC speaks about four rights of children – The right to Survival, Development, Participation and Protection, the core and essence of the Rights of Children. To ensure that these are ensured government has developed child protection mechanisms, one of them being the Child Welfare Committees, deciding the best interest of children for children in need of care and protection and the other Juvenile Justice Board for children in conflict with the law. The National Children’s Act state that there should be a separate children’s court and we all should voice and raise our concerns. SJPU- Special Juvenile police unit should be opened in every district. Every police station must have a child welfare officer to ensure the rights of children. District rehabilitation committee, Child labour unit in each district.

As civil society actors, it is our responsibility to make it functional and active. Petitions and appeals to government by us will make systems work. 

If we want to work on prevention, we must not hesitate to rescue. It takes courage to stand up and file FIR against Child Labour. Organizations must support and take responsibility for the safety and security of their committed and dedicated personnel. Information, Knowledge and expertise about rules and regulations and laws on child labour is a prerequisite in handling incidents of child labour.

 He stated that prevention and response to child labour must go hand in hand and these include Collecting information, Rapport building and networking, Collecting proof, Helping police, Freeing children from child labour, Filing FIR against the owner, Producing children to CWC, Producing evidence and proof against the owner in the court and Rehabilitation process of children.

Rescue operations should be in secret, strategized and planned well ahead of time. It requires extra commitment and responsibility. Strategies should be made in favour of others and not in favour of self and the organization. Standard Operating Procedures, Inter-State Migration Policy finally rehabilitation mechanisms must be formulated and implemented across States.

Finally, he concluded that coordination with appropriate authorities must be initiated from the very start. Efforts to be made collectively to functionalize the department. Dialoguing with the departments to include the cooperation in the lobby is an important tool.