Experts on Tuesday during the State-level workshop ‘Media in enhancing issue based advocacy’ opined that it has become mandatory for taking up pivotal child rights issues ranging from health and nutrition to creation of

a sustainable system for child protection which is the need of the hour.

Experts from different media organisations, academicians, members of civil society gathered at Xavier Institute of Social Sciences (XISS) to discuss the current status of children here in Jharkhand.

According to a survey report of Save the Children titled ‘End of Childhood-2017’, over 9.71 lakh children in the age group (5 to 18 years) are working as child labours, according to the census 2011. Similarly, 38 percent women aged 20 to 24 years got married before 18 years while 12.0 percent women in the age group 15 to 19 years are already mothers or are pregnant.

Taking up the present state of Jharkhand on different frontages like child labour, trafficking, dropout rate, infant mortality rate etc, GM-JHSPO, Save the Children Mahadev Hansda, said, “Our organisation which is active in three districts Ranchi, Gumla and West Singhbhum covering 485 villages are focusing primarily

on education where inclusion of skill education in the academics will cater to the requirements of several kids. Health and nutrition which is associated with the survival and child protection that implies to establishment of child-protection groups (Bal Sangakshan Samiti) is our core area of focus.”

Hansda added constant efforts are being put to end violence against children through organizing mass campaigns on different child rights issues.

On the other hand, pointing out on the role of media coverage, both print and electronic medium, Professor Dr Himadri Sinha of Xavier Institute of Social Sciences (XISS) said, “Attempts should be made to devote ample space for showcasing the news that is directly linked with the most vulnerable part of the society. Child prevention strategy must be chalked out ensuring equal participation of all. Community education on preventive measures must be given importance for dissemination of information.”

Meanwhile, panelists from different media organisations who has experience of more than a decade of covering child rights issues during the interaction programme said that it is necessary to first find out the root cause of problems linked directly with the survival of children and has crippled  the society.

With a purpose of giving voice to the marginalised children in Jharkhand, experts touched upon some vital issues that includes role of media in giving importance to child rights issues, media in advocating social development issues, media in enhancing issue based advocacy, media and communications—a voice for the marginalised children, guidelines for media reporting on social issues etc.