Considering the rising incidence of child abuse and other atrocities on children across the country, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi will initiate a nationwide campaign from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu in August this year.
"The campaign will be aimed at spreading awareness on child rights issues," said Satyarthi during a press meet here on Tuesday.
"The campaign will be started from Kanyakumari and will end on the eve of Diwali. The two-month long campaign, 'Save childhood, Save nation,' will not just be restricted to a specific domain but through this nationwide campaign nearly one crore people will pledge to fight against child abuse and stand for child rights," said Satyarthi.
"During the campaign that will motivate people to join hands to promote child welfare activities will not just be restricted to rallies but around eight to nine 'sabhas' will be held every day. Skits and other activities will also be organized to create awareness," he added.
The main aim to link a major chunk of population with the campaign is to compel the Government machinery to draft concrete guidelines to curb trafficking and other crimes. Satyarthi said that he will involve corporate houses, as also spiritual leaders, in the campaign.
Satyarthi, who started his journey to protect children from the vicious cycle of human trafficking and bonded labour, from Jharkhand, has suggested a few measures to the State Government. "Nearly six agendas were discussed with Chief Minister Raghubar Das. The State Government should come up with stringent rules to curb the mushrooming of illegal placement agencies. Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation will support the Government in formulating the Act," he said.
The Nobel laureate pointed out that he has advised the Government to strengthen the child rights plan of action in Jharkhand. He also declared, on the occasion, plan to create around 500 child-friendly villages in the State. At present, there are 131 child-friendly villages spread across Jharkhand. Notably, a child-friendly village is a place where there is no violation of the rights of a child.
Satyarthi also said that his Foundation will provide capacity building training programme to top officials of the State Government that will be beneficial for them in understanding the requirement of all those children who have been rescued and need immediate rehabilitation.
He also emphasized on forming a child panchayat at different villages that will work as a link and any child in distress can immediately raise voice against infringement of his/her rights.