Growing number of tribal women, adolescents especially from the tribal groups like Oraon, Munda and Santhal are lured and are trafficked to metro cities for various illegal activities, said, Chairperson, Jharkhand State Child labour Commission, Shanti Kindo while addressing the civil society members gathered to attend a state level conference on children in difficult situation with focus on Jharkhand and Bihar.
According to the data available with the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR), 33,000 girls are trafficked every year to work as domestic helps, labourers. Some are even pushed into brothels.
In the programme organised by CINI protection resource centre and Plan India, the experts discussed about those children who are compelled to spent life in difficult circumstances in the state. Incidences, issues, gaps and challenges with impact of marginalization, poverty and discrimination on children in both the states, situation of child labour and trafficking including child rights and laws, overview of existing legislation and recent legal amendments relating to child labour were highlighted.
“Keeping National Plan for Action for children which is being finalized and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the third serious of state level conference on children in difficult circumstances has been organized. With the objective of identifying resources, engaging stakeholders like corporate firms in spreading child rights through CSR activities, compilation of suggestions including preparing a detailed report to formulate policies for children at the national level, the conference has been organised,” said, Senior Program Manager-Eastern Region, Plan India, Dr. Sneha Siddham.
Experts and organization heads stressed on bridging the gap among the stakeholders working for children protection and must resolve cases with utmost seriousness. “Cases must be resolved in the stimulated time. Collaborative action is must by the organizations. RTE and other child right issues are often hindered in Jharkhand and Bihar, as organizations are not serious about the protection of children. At times, cases are often left without reaching to any conclusion,” said, SCPCR, Member, Dr. Manoj Kumar.