JAIPUR: Children participating in an event marking the World Fair Trade Day here over the week-end narrated the instances of unfair trade practices affecting their lives and expressed concern over the adverse impact of global trade policies on the development of local communities.

The event, "Speak Out'', was organised as part of the activities of the International Fair Trade Association aimed at creating space for children and strengthen their voice to influence decision making on issues such as globalisation, WTO and trade concessions.

The participants in the programme called for the establishment of a Children's Commission in Rajasthan and adoption of a State Child Policy to deal with the issues of child labour and exploitation, denial of access to education and health care, child trafficking and forced engagement of children in hazardous works.

Bhaironlal Jangid of Sirohi Bal Panchayat in Tonk district said poverty was a big impediment to getting education in the rural areas.

"When my father insists that I make contribution to family income by working in fields, I have no option. This is a dilemma faced by the majority of rural children."

While young Bhaironlal actively participated earlier in the nation-wide Make Trade Fair Campaign, 14-year-old Babita, also from Tonk district, narrated how she dissuaded her family from marrying her off at the young age.

"Globalisation has made a number of people unemployed in my village. The livelihood options are gradually shrinking,'' she said.

A resolution moved by the main organiser of the event, Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants' Society (CECOEDECON), demanded that the National Child Labour Project be extended to include children employed in hazardous works and the quality of education under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan be improved.

CECOEDECON Deputy Director Neema Pant said making the global trade guidelines "just and fair'' would automatically improve the condition of children. , Among others, former judges of Rajasthan High Court, Justices V.S. Dave and S.N. Bhargava; Director of Jaipur Doordarshan, Nand Bharadwaj; Anil Joseph from World Vision; theatre activist Ruchi Bhargava; and farmers' leader Bhagwan Sahai, addressed the function.

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