HAPPY(???) CHILDREN DAY...
Friday, November 14, 2008


India is a vast country with a total population of approx 100 crores. India is at number second in world population, next to China. 40% of India's population is below the age of 18 years which is 400 million, the world's largest child population and out of the total population around 50% goes to school. 95 in every 1000 children born in India die before their 5th birth day and 70 in every 1000 children born in India die before their 1st birth day. Only 38% of India's children below the age of 2 years are immunized. More that 50% of India's children are malnourished.

  • The condition of a girl child is far more severe than a male child. Not only the infection, malnutrition and other disease, girl child is more prone of foeticide and innumerable girl children are killed after their birth or with in the womb. That’s why few states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are having fewer girls than boys and the gender ratio is low. Patriarchal norms and distribution of will and tradition of dowry are the main reasons which threaten the survival of girl child. Even with the improvement of education and awareness and strict laws the female foeticide has increased in last few years. It is found during survey that every sixth girl child's death is due to gender discrimination. The girl child life is further on risk as she grows older. 1 out of 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 4. The kind of education, nutrition and immunisation and other necessary services are provided less to the girls than a male child.
  • It is not only the girl child who is put on the risk; the male child does have inhibition on his normal development. Poor nutrition, lack of vaccination, poor sanitary condition and child labour are the risk factors for whole childhood no matter if it is a girl child or a male child.
  • Child labour is very common as the child is considered as a property of the adults and some time a young life has to support the whole family where the parents are not working or their earning is not sufficient to support the family. As per an official estimation 17 million children are child labour. Child labour spoils the child future by inhibiting him to get proper education and make him prone to sexual and physical harassment and exploitation. Child labour is more common as it is the cheapest resource. This further on adds to the youth unemployment. Some time the child run away from the situation, work or from family and start living on the street. Street life again increases the risks to multi fold by exposing them to crime, exploitation, drugs and abuse.
  • The education statistic is also not satisfactory. 50% of children with age of 6-18 don’t go to school. The girl education stats are further less than the boys child. Even if the child gets in to the education frame, the quality of education is poor. The poor guidance and vocation opportunities lead the child to do the same labour or work which does not involve the basic education. So, the usage of education lowers down and its importance too.
  • All children have the right to be protected from work that interferes with their normal growth and development. Abandoned children, children without families and disabled children need special care and protection. 3% of India's children are mentally/physically challenged. They are in high risk or physically and mentally abused. Moreover the services for the disabled are not as good as the number. Still the disability status in India is worst. People consider disability as a stigma to society and nation. There is less support provided for the family of disabled. Early intervention and education for the disabled and “at Risk” child is poor. There is very less school which provide the inclusive education. Preventive and remedial methods of disability are not in good position. The services which are available are either too costly or not up to standard to make the difference.

WE ALL CAN DO IT

q Education plays an important in enabling us to judge the right think, develop the civic sense, develop self respect and dignity and improves the quality of life. Every educated child contributes to enhance the economy and productivity of nation. The educationist, civilian and govt should work on to improve the quality of education.

q The disabled children should not be assessed on the basis of what they cant performed rather they should be graded on their ability to perform. Better health system, proactive measures and inclusive education can improve their life.

q Girl child should not be accepted as a curse. There are so many examples in world in various areas where they have recognised more with their work than their gender. The girl child should be provided with stimulating environment, education and safe environment foe better performance.

q Proper guidance should be given regarding sanitation, basic hygiene, nutrition, prevention of communicational disease, vaccination and immunisation and healthy eating practices can reduce the risk of young lives.

q We, all citizens should take the responsibility of the nation to improve the standards of education and quality of life. If every individual take his own responsibility as a citizen rather than blaming the others and politician, then there would less problems to work and it would be healthy environment we can provide to our coming generation.


statistics from various websites

Posted byNeeti at 12:04 AM  

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