United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) incorporates basic rights and principles of participation under articles 12, 13, and 15 for children to counter non-participation and engage them individual and communal growth. Child parliament is a platform for children between 6 to 18 years of age to learn about and experience their rights as outlined in UNCRC.

Caritas India under the Swaraksha Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Program is strengthening the Child Parliament in its programme areas by equipping children with the basic concepts of the Child Parliament, providing life skills education, knowledge to maintain the sustainability of the Children’s Parliament, teaching them about rights, undertaking activities that focus on the children’s health and education and grooming them in the art of negotiation and group decision making. The results are promising as Child leaders had initiated several actions and raised their voices to get their entitlement from Child Recently.

In the series of learning and Capacity building Training of the Child Parliament members Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti (PGSS), a partner of Caritas India in Gorakhpur has organized an exposure visit for Children from Nichlaul Swaraksha (AHT) program to the Police Outpost Renghiya and SSB 22nd Company Border Outpost Shitlapur Khesra.

Children were excited to learn and understand the role and responsibilities of law enforcement agencies in Combating Human Trafficking and saving lives of innocent peoples who become a Victim of Human Trafficking.

Children were sensitized to using Helpline numbers in any emergency which can be responded to by the Police and respective agencies responsible. During the session, children learned about different Helpline numbers including SSB 1903, Police 112, Childline 1098, Chief Minister 1076, Asha Jyoti Kendra 181, etc. There are several instances when Children’s Parliament leaders became instrumental in reporting instances of Child Marriage, Child Labor, and Human trafficking through Emergency Helpline Numbers, and adequate action was taken to save the lives of victims.

Children also learned the Importance of reporting any unlawful activity which happens around them. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) officials and Police officials ensure that Children can seek any Kind of help and support.

Sharing her experience of this exposure, Chandni, one of the Child Parliament representative shared that she learned that unlawful activities like smuggling at Indo-Nepal border effects the economy of the Country and the development of that area. She said as a Child Parliament we are also responsible to take care of such illegal activities which can be reported to the agencies who are responsible to stop them.

Another Child Leader, Vasundhara told that this type of Learning trip gives exposure to rural children who are very much limited and are unable to get the exposers. She thanked PGSS for taking this kind of initiative to encourage children in building the Capacity of Children and Promote them to learn from such kinds of Platforms.

Addressing to Children, Mr. Raju Kumar Nath, Sub-Inspector SSB 22 Company, Border Chowki Shitlapur assured their team support in listening to the Children for any help them. Mr. Amit Kumar, Police Chowki Renghaiya said “Children should focus on their studies for acquiring more knowledge from each other.