The Hindu : Karnataka / Mangalore News : Protect child rights, candidates told

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 25, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Mangalore

Protect child rights, candidates told

By Our Staff Correspondent

MANGALORE, FEB. 24. The Campaign Against Child Labour - Karnataka (CACL-K) has appealed to the people to cast their votes in favour of candidates who promise to uphold the rights of children in the gram panchayat elections in the State.

A press release from Renny D'Souza, convener of local unit of CACL-K here said it is the duty of adults to preserve and protect the rights of children.

Candidates should give it in writing that they are committed to protect children's rights. They should ensure that every child has a healthy and independent childhood, make sincere efforts to reduce infant and child mortality rates, strive for immunisation of children against various disease and pay special attention to the needs of those children affected by HIV and AIDS.

The release said candidates should also strive to ensure that all children have access to quality education, keep vigil to ensure that no girl child dropped out of school and worked to provide additional income to her family. In addition, special focus needs to be paid to make panchayats a child labour-free area through sustained efforts at various levels.

Children aged less than six should have access to pre-primary schooling through anganwadi centres, the release said and added that the School Development and Management Committees should be allowed to function in a meaningful manner. Children with physical disabilities too should be provided with equal opportunities for education with requisite facilities at schools.

Mr. Renny D'Souza urged the candidates to pay attention to other issues pertaining to children such as easy access to health, education and information, prevent trafficking in children, initiate exemplary action against those involved in such acts.

He said the members should pay attention to the needs of children at all stages of planning, as they are the most vulnerable lot.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News Update

Stories in this Section

`True artistes do not hanker after recognition'

Six roads to be concreted

Social work school refutes report on syllabus

Protect child rights, candidates told

Dakshina Kannada all set for gram panchayat polls

State Govt. washes hands off roadwork

Sweekar Award presentation on Sunday

In Mangalore Today