HYDERABAD: Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development D. Purandareswari has said that State-level commissions for protection of child rights will be constituted soon.

Inaugurating a national seminar on `Stop child abuse' organised by the Centre For Inquiry-India (CFI) here on Sunday, she said States would be adopting legislations for setting up the commissions. Referring to the child labour problem she said, methods need to be evolved to raise the standards of the poor in a bid to eliminate the social evil.

Describing the problem `intricate', the Minister said that indigent families send their children to work as domestic labour to ensure that they get at least one meal unaware that such kids get exploited `unethically and immorally'.

She expressed concern at gender discrimination, saying it was `deep-rooted' and called for a change in people's mindset.

She pointed out that the higher dropout rate among school going girls was because they were forced to stay home and help their mothers in domestic chores.

"Are we being fair to the girl child?" the Minister asked.

Ms. Purandareswari said implementation of the international convention on protection of child rights was getting hampered because the US had not signed it. Referring to a recent US report placing India on `watch-list', she said the Government refused to accept it, as it was `very judgmental and prescriptive'.

Multiple strategies

Hima Bindu Singh, Assistant Professor (paediatrics) at Gandhi Hospital called for adopting multiple strategies to prevent child abuse, including improved parenting skills and strict implementation of law. Stress should be on allowing freedom to the child and creating conducive environment for its healthy growth.

Ravi Prakash, CEO of TV 9, M. Nageswara Rao, Principal, Eenadu School of Journalism, Chandana Chakraborthy, adviser CFI and N. Innaiah, director, spoke.

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