Bachpan bachao Andolan :: Save the Childhood Movement ::

More than 200 villages have become Bal Mitra Grams - models for change.

Bal Mitra Gram (BMG) or ‘child friendly village’ is a micro model of a macro vision to make a child friendly world, where every child is free from exploitation, receives education, recreation and health facilities, their voices are heard and participation is ensured in an environment of friendliness, rights and dignity in the community. Intense consciousness raising efforts to challenge and change age-old mindsets based on many social, cultural and gender biases, sensitising and involving all stakeholders are among some of the key elements in creating a BMG.

A BMG is one where

1)	All child labourers are withdrawn from work;
2)	All children are enrolled in school;
3)	Children form their own Bal Panchayat (children's assembly);
4)	The Bal Panchayat is given official recognition by the Gram Panchayat (elected village council). The Bal Panchayat then works along with the Gram Panchayat on issues related to children. They are supported by the youth and women's groups of the village.

Election Process

Razia is like any other 11 year old. Only that she is a gritty young girl who knows how to right a wrong. When the mid-day meal in her school was of substandard quality, she led the contingent of her friends to complain to the Sarpanch (Chief) of Gram Panchayat. The Sarpanch of her Bal Panchayat, when she didn't receive a favourable response from her elderly colleague, she complained to the district official in a written letter. Within a few weeks everything changed. The cook was reprimanded, Sarpanch himself started monitoring the quality of food and the children started receiving the best quality food.

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