Child Development and Protection Policy 2014

Child protection is the safeguarding of children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect. Child Policy 2014 Of the Maharashtra State provides for the protection of children in and out of the home. One of the ways to ensure this is by giving them quality education and in addition to other child protection systems.

Child protection systems are a set of usually government-run services designed to protect children and young people who are underage and to encourage family stability. A child protection system’ as:

the set of laws, policies, regulations and services needed across all social sectors – especially social welfare, education, health, security, and justice, to support prevention and response to protection-related risks. These systems are part of social protection, and extend beyond it. At the level of prevention, their aim includes supporting and strengthening families to reduce social exclusion, and to lower the risk of separation, violence and exploitation. Responsibilities are often spread across government agencies, with services delivered by local authorities, non-State providers, and community groups, making coordination between sectors and levels, including routine referral systems etc.

A commitment to child development in Maharashtra through a holistic, integrated, and planned approach

    1. India had a number of legislations related to children. However, in order to align them to the standards set by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child, the National Child Policy on Children was enacted in 1974. Keeping in view the National Policy, Maharashtra State brought out a Child Development Policy for the fulfillment of children’s rights, in 2002. The objective of this policy was to implement the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, leading to the systematic, holistic, and planned development of the children in the state. The 2002 Policy had taken into consideration the changing economic, social, and cultural needs of children due to globalization. It was proposed in the policy that the measures suggested would need to be reviewed in response to the constantly changing environment. In a period of ten years, since then, a number of changes have occurred. Hence the Policy is needed to be revised.
    2. The Constitution of India includes a number of articles related to children. Article 39 (f) mentions that “The State will ensure that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.” Also, the Children’s Charter issued in 2003 recognizes the right of every child to survival, life, and liberty and the need for the state to protect these rights, thus reiterating the State’s responsibility towards its children. Apart from this, a number of measures have been taken by the Government of India after enacting laws including the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act (2000) along with Amendment (2006) and Rules 2002 (revised in 2011), Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986 and Rules, Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (1956) amended in 1986, the Hindu Adoption Act and Rules (1956), Guardians & Wards Act (1890) and Rules, CARA Guidelines on Adoption (2011), Child Marriage Prevention Act (2006) and Rules and Prevention of Sexual Offenses Against Children Act (2012). The Department of Women and Child Development (D.W.C.D.), Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (M.S.C.P.C.R.), Integrated Child Development Services (I.C.D.S.) Scheme, and Integrated Child Protection Scheme (I.C.P.S.) and other initiatives of the State towards the protection of children’s rights.
    3. The policy shall ensure that no child in the state shall remain out of the safety net of development and protection. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ensure the well-being and development of children and adolescents, including the areas of health, education, nutrition, and development. National Policy on Early Childhood Care and Education (E.C.C.E.) has also been formulated by Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was ratified by India on December 11, 1992. Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children adopted on 24 February 2010 by the United Nations to ensure the protection and well-being of children who are deprived of parental care or who are at risk of being so. They are meant “to support efforts to keep children in or return them to, the care of their family or, failing this, to find another appropriate and permanent solution.”
    4.  The state of Maharashtra is committed to implementing the mandate of the Constitution of India, and the principles of international laws and conventions. The State of Maharashtra shall ensure the provision of the highest standard of care, protection, development, and empowerment of children within the paradigm of a Rights-Based Framework. Maharashtra is known for its progressive approach with respect to programs of children. However, there are many vulnerable families which required special attention to be able to ensure the best opportunities for the development of children. The scenario is also changing with changing social, economic, and political contexts. For example, the high growth of the urban population poses a number of issues related to housing and shelter, lack of basic amenities, and large-scale growth of labor in unorganized sectors. Even though there has been overall economic growth of the state, and inter-district disparities in the Human Development Index (HDI) are a matter of concern. Issues like the high prevalence of child labor, large migrant population, malnourishment in children below six years, declining sex ratio, high rate of trafficking within the state as well as from other states and countries, shocking increase in the number of crimes against children including kidnapping, exploitation through begging, sexual abuse and exploitation are the major concerns for the state as a whole. While most of the structures of the Juvenile Justice System are in place, they need to be strengthened for effective implementation of the Act. The present Policy is set in the backdrop of these realities. This Child Policy is an overreaching document, for every relevant department of the state that impacts the lives of children. This Child Policy will guide and inform all existing policies, legislations, plans of action, and programs affecting children in the state of Maharashtra.
    5. The state is committed to taking affirmative measures to promote and safeguard the rights of all children, to live and develop with justice, non-discrimination, equity, dignity, security, and freedom, especially for those who are marginalized or disadvantaged, to ensure that all children will have equal opportunities and that no custom, tradition, cultural or religious practice is allowed to violate or restrict or prevent children from enjoying their rights. The Child Policy 2014 reiterates the commitment of the Government of Maharashtra towards the children in the State.