The Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (JSCPCR) has written to CM, Raghubar Das to declare the month-long pious Shravani Mela organized annually at Deogarh as the first ‘Child Friendly Mela’.
Notably, Jharkhand registers quite a number of human trafficking cases, bonded labourers issue including the missing children cases more in comparison to the other States of eastern region. In a bid to sensitise both public and stakeholders associated with the protection of child rights, the fair will be organized seeking the guidelines of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
“I have written to CM, Raghubar Das on May 5 to declare this year’s Shravani Mela (Mahotshav) as the first ‘Child Friendly fair’ considering the rights of most vulnerable part of the society. Though, the commission has not received any response from Chief Minister Office (CMO). If we are permitted, then, following NCPCR rules, Mela will ensure the right to child’s recreation, protection and participation imparting strong message to the society,” said, JSCPCR Chairperson, Aarti Kujur.
“A child friendly setup is a pre-requisite for organising such an event on a big scale that will involve children participation in fairly good number. In order to make it effective the mela organiser has to be sensitive to the needs of a child so that a system can be developed for effective implementation of the plan,” added Kujur.
Besides, engaging the officials from department of School Education and literacy, department of Social welfare, labour department, NGOs, the commission will also sensitize and educate district administration personnel from where the maximum cases of child trafficking, sexual abuse, child marriages are registered.
According to the NCPCR norms, the purpose behind organizing such events is to establish a child rights desk for increasing awareness about child rights and entitlements under laws, creation of a child rights desk for dissemination of information on existing laws, schemes, polices available for children.
As per the guidelines, it also encourages ensuring best possible usage of all available communication channels like audio visuals, banners, posters for reducing the gap while creating awareness among all about child rights.
A webpage containing all inputs must be created on State government’s official website clearly indicating the details of the fair. Mapping of district has been also made mandatory besides using latest technique for surveillance, evaluating risk assessment, creating child friendly corners on mela premises under the norms of NCPCR for organization of ‘Child Friendly’ mela.