A TWO-DAY WORKSHOP HELD FOR THE PARENTS OF FORMER CHILD LABOURERS

A two-day workshop, for the parents of former puppet-making child labourers was conducted by the Central Labor Education Board in the Jagatpura ward, in Jaipur on 10 February, 06. The education officer Mr. S. K. Singh represented the Education Board at the workshop.

The workshop saw the participation of 40 women, wherein they formed an association emphasizing the importance and the need to improve their existing financial situation. In order to effectively address their financial problems, they were advised and motivated to start a self-help group. At the end of the workshop, each participant was given Rs.150 as a token by the Board.

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Children take cudgels to demand their rights!

150 children demanded an end to child labour and protection of their right to get education and equal opportunities.

50 villages of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were represented through these children who gathered at Bal Ashram, Viratnagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan to participate in the third Rashtriya Bal Mitra Mahapanchayat from 11-13 January 2006. These children, chosen by
their peers who are mainly former child labourers, were the elected leaders of respective bal panchayats of their village.

The main focus of the Mahapanchayat was the election of the new national executive of their unique Assembly by casting votes in the presence of ''election observers''. They also discussed and shared their experiences, achievements and challenges to learn from each other during the three-day event. Priyanka, a 13-year-old girl from Rajasthan, was elected the national Sarpanch of the Bal Mitra Mahapanchayat. Shubham, Rajasthan was elected as the UPsarpanch. The Secretary’s position was bagged by Rukhsana, Bihar.

The Bachpan Bachao Andolan has constituted the Bal Mitra Mahapanchayat, comprising mostly the children rescued from child labour, as a forum to ensure children's participation in the process of decision making and policy formulations from the local to the national level. The novel Assembly has raised many developmental issues in their villages and seeks solutions in liaison with the adult panchayat and has generated awareness especially on the tools of advocacy.

The Chairperson of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Kailash Satyarthi, said each elected representative of children was an illustration of transformation introduced in his or her village and was responsible for bringing about reforms. He called upon the children to fight against social evils and resist the attempts to push them into child labour.

Mr. Satyarthi elaborated that child labour and illiteracy are the roots of poverty in our country. Unfortunately, children are not in the agenda of the governments and that is the main reason for the slow pace of socio-economic growth and development. Bal Mitra Grams (Child Friendly
Villages) are an initiative by BBA in the direction to bring a revolution at the micro level which will spiral up to bring a change at the macro level.

The Rajasthan Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Kalulal Gujjar, inaugurated the Mahapanchayat. In his inaugural address at the Mahapanchayat he said that the Bal Mitra Panchayat members can change the face of the country through its perseverance. Many times politicians do activities that are not in favour of the country. But as part of the Bal Mitra Panchayat, children have been educated about values since beginning. This would help them in becoming aware and responsible citizens, he added.

Justice Anshuman Singh, former Governor of Rajasthan, said the voluntary organisations could play a significant role in the abolition of child labour. He appreciated the efforts of BBA in creating, Bal Ashram, a model of rehabilitation and mainstreaming the rescued bonded child labourers. It is from the Bal Ashram that the implementation of the BMGs started.

The Rajasthan State Representative of UNICEF, Dr. Satish Kumar, said the children's opinion should be sought on the issues directly affecting them, such as health care, education, development and participation.

Two Members of Parliament, Girdharilal Bhargava (Jaipur) and Ravi Prakash Verma (Lakhimpur Khiri) and senior Journalist Ajay Setiya, were specially invited to be the “Observers” and witness the election process conducted entirely by the children themselves.

A "leader'' of the Mahapanchayat, Amar Lal, regretted that children were not taken into account with a priority in the Government's policies and plans, but said the unity of rescued child labourers would bring the issues of their education and development to the centre stage of policy-making.

The activists and coordinators of Bal Mitra Gram who had come with the children also discussed and planned for the future activities of the BMG. They also gained more awareness on various legislations, schemes and tools of advocacy such as, Right to Information, Welfare schemes of the Government which they can implement in their villages.

Cultural activities at the end of each day’s proceedings showcased another facet of the children. Full of energy and vigour even after a hectic schedule they presented their songs and dances. This recharged them for the deliberations of the next day.

The National Executive Members of the Bal Mitra Mahapanchayat debated and discussed on the declaration that they wanted to send across to the adults. The thought provoking discussion based on the common needs of the children turned into a clear directive for the adults to ensure that all children get their rights, there is no child labour and every girl and boy gets free, compulsory, equal and meaningful education.