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New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Child labour scene worsens in urban Bengaluru: NGO report
BENGALURU: Despite years of progress and policy reforms, child labour continues to cast a shadow over the children of South India. Marking the World Day against Child Labour, a recent report by the Child Rights and You (CRY) Foundation reveals that 16% of children aged 6 to 18 in the region are engaged in either full-time or part-time work, a direct violation of their right to education and protection. From agricultural fields and livestock management and more, children are being stripped of their childhood and basic rights. The report is based on surveys conducted across selected districts in four south Indian states —Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana— primarily focusing on rural areas. In Karnataka, 8,413 children aged 6 to 14 were surveyed in four districts, and 443 were found to be involved in child labour. Among those aged 15 to 18, the number rose to 509 of 2,750 children. Harry Jeyakaran, AGM, CRY Program, and State Lead for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, highlighted the lack of school accessibility in rural areas as a major factor contributing to this crisis. 'According to the RTE Act, every village should have a primary school within 1 km, a middle school within 3 km, and a high school within 5 km. But in our operational areas, only 60-70% of villages have a nearby primary school. The numbers drop sharply- only 40% have middle schools, and just 10-12% have access to high schools or PUC,' he explained.
New Indian Express
06-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Justice is not a privilege but right of every child: Odisha HC judge
BHUBANESWAR: Justice is not a privilege but a right of every child, said Justice Savitri Ratho. Addressing a panel discussion on 'Advancing Child-Centred Justice' hosted by the National Law University Odisha (NLUO) and Child Rights and You (CRY) as part of the 5th World Congress on Justice with Children here recently, the Orissa High Court judge underscored the need for trauma-informed processes and regular monitoring under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015, especially for marginalised children. 'Justice is not a privilege to be earned; it is a promise to be kept for every child,' she affirmed. Speaking on the occasion, chairperson of the United Nations' Internal Justice Council and former judge of the Supreme Court of India Justice Madan Lokur emphasised the need for meaningful access to justice for children - as victims, as accused, and as those in need of care and protection, in all their avatars. He highlighted the underreporting of violence against children, alarming backlog in inquiries, and revictimization faced by survivors during the trial due to systemic delays and inadequate support systems. While principal secretary of the Women and Child Development department Shubha Sarma shared the state's commitment through schemes like Subhadra and Ashirbaad, NLUO vice-chancellor Ved Kumari advocated for a broad, child-centred definition of justice. The World Congress on Justice with Children is a global platform that convenes every five years to further the policy, practice and discourse on child-centred justice.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Menstrual hygiene still a distant dream for many schoolgirls in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
VIJAYAWADA: On Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, the stark reality of adolescent girls in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana highlights that the lack of access to sanitary pads, clean toilets, and menstrual education continues to affect their health and education. Nithya(name changed), a teenager from Nelaturu village in Andhra Pradesh, was caught off guard by her first period. Her parents, both agricultural labourers, could offer little guidance. Siri (name changed), from Machara village, echoed similar struggles, feeling confused and isolated during menstruation due to prevailing taboos and a lack of information. These are not isolated stories. A recent study by Child Rights and You (CRY)- South, a Banglore based NGO conducted across 109 schools and hostels in six districts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, revealed deep-rooted gaps in menstrual hygiene management. Of the 370 toilets designated for girls, only 108 were in usable condition. Most lacked water, soap, or proper waste disposal, forcing girls to avoid them entirely. Only 43 institutions stocked sanitary napkins, the rest had no provisions, leaving girls with little choice but to use unhygienic alternatives or skip school altogether. 'Girls are missing up to four school days a month due to the lack of menstrual support,' said John Roberts, Regional Director, CRY – South. 'This cumulative absenteeism affects academic performance and increases dropout risks, especially among girls from marginalised communities.'
