Hear Us Now We Count on You – Children Voice Right to Identity and Protection

Hyderabad | April | 12, 2018 ::  On the occasion of 7th International Day for Street Children, Save the Children and ASRITHA reiterate the commitment towards implementation of ‘UN General Comment No.21 on Children in Street Situations’ and pledge our commitment to equality, protection of every child, providing access to services and creating new solutions for all children in street situations.

The day was marked with an event organized for children staying in the ASHRITA shelter home. In this event, few children expressed their past vulnerable situations and about the future. Children want to become Police officer, Teacher and social worker to protect and do service to the children on street situations..  As of August 2017, 3060 children from 55 Child Care Institutions are enrolled for Aadhar cards.

This comes closely after the Department of Women Development and Child Welfare organized the release cum orientation meet on “Standard Operating Procedures for Care and Protection of Children in Street Situations” in collaboration with Save the Children and NCPCR on 1^st September 2017.

Master Ramulu a 3^rd class student said he is happy to be here with all the opportunities. My uncle brought me from nearby district and left me in Hyderabad to beg near a temple. Police rescued me and I went to some office (Child Welfare Committee) and then came to Asritha.

Baby Anitha residing in Girls Home, Doodbowli wants to become a Bank Manager.

Master Nagaraj, 2^nd class wants to become a Police officer and help children like him to be rescued for safe place.

Speaking on the event, a guest stressed “Every Child has the right to identity and is to be issued Aadhar Card for development”

Smt. Syamala, Chairperson, CWC said “ Children are the priority for the state and future of the state”

Anjaiah, Sub-Inspector of Police said “State Police is committed to the rescue and referrals to a safe place with development opportunities”

 Chandra Naik, Inspector of Police, Railway Police Force said “ Railways has kiosks in railway station for the recue and referrals and Police force is committed for children safety”

Nagaraj, Asritha told “Due to abuse and exploitation at home, children land up here and its our moral responsibility for their survival and development opportunitiy”

Vikas Gora, General Manager, Save the Children said “Trainings are planned to the Juvenile Police officers, Chairpersons of CWC, ICPS staff and DPOs on the Child Safeguarding and reporting mechanisms laid in the SOP.

At the National level, the day was marked by launch of a Digital Tutorial on the Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) laid out for Care and Protection of Children in Street Situations by Stuti Kacker, Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).