Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Children’s rights have deteriorated in Goa: Goa Pro Child Network

Prakash Kamat 

Panaji,March 25- The Goa Pro Child Network, a network of civil society organizations and child rights advocates, working for protection of children in the state has warned that a number of critical children’s rights issues must be urgently addressed by the government to prevent worsening impacts on the most vulnerable children. While recognising that the Government has faced a colossal challenge and has had to engage in a huge public health mobilisation, the Network has pointed out that the lack of prioritisation of children’s rights and their voices in vital policy and legislative decisions, particularly in response to the COVID 19 pandemic has left a lot to be desired.
The Network had recently had a series of meetings where various issues of children from vulnerable sections,including those with special needs who suffered immensely interms of education,mental health, basic necessities during the prolonged COVID-19 crisis were deliberated.
In the last year, issues such as rising exclusions from school, mental health problems and child poverty, the side-lining of children’s basic needs and development such as their right to feel safe and be protected from abuse, and have a roof over their head and play, are a fallout of this miss governance in Goa. The Network has pointed out that children are at risk of falling into the control of criminals seeking to exploit them and puts their future, welfare and safety in danger.
The Network has expressed concern about:

1.      Non-formulation and notification of ‘sponsorship scheme’ as required under the Juvenile Justice Act, the absence of a provision of supplementary support under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) to families to meet medical, nutritional, educational and other needs of their children with a view to improving their quality of life.


2.      The non-disbursal of mid-day meals in Goa during the lockdown, despite the central government’s directive to states to provide Food Security Allowance (FSA) to the children comprising food grains, pulses, oil etc (equivalent to cooking cost) to all eligible children till such time their schools are closed due to the pandemic. The nil access of vulnerable children to food security scheme by Priority Household (PHH) is a matter of serious concern.


3.      Lack of proper planning despite provisions under ICPS, and timely sending of budget proposals for utilisation of ICPS funds resulting in rising numbers of children needing care or protection.


The Network while demanding due prioritisation of children’s rights, particularly those of vulnerable children, including special children, has affirmed that it will continue to support the collective effort to face this challenge and to ensure the social and economic effects of the coronavirus are not felt in the lives of children in the years ahead.(eom)







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