Centre for Child Rights Advocacy, together with the Centre for Social Justice, Institute of Law, Nirma University, hosted a one-day workshop on “Child Rights Legislation” in collaboration with the United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) and Sauhard NGO on November 14, 2024. The speakers for the workshop lecture were Shri Divya Bhagia, CEO Sauhard, Mr. Indrjeet Chauhan, Representative Prayas NGO, Ms. Prita Jha, Peace and Equality Cell, NGO, Shri Rahul Trivedi, Secretary of Gujarat State Legal Service Authority, and Dr. Dharmang Baxi, Professor of Law, Institute of Law, Nirma University. Discussion on Key Issues of Child Rights, Understanding the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, Understanding of POCSO Act, 2012, Orientation of the Child & Adolescent Labour Act, 1986, and Understanding of Prohibition of Child Marriage & Recent Judgements were carried out by the speakers respectively.
Mr. Bhagiya discussed the definition of a child, emphasizing their rights across survival, development, protection, and participation. They highlighted the significant impact of abuse on children and the importance of recognizing their agency. Legal interventions, such as the role of the nodal officer, were also addressed as crucial in ensuring the protection and rights of children in various situations.
Mr. Chauhan talked about the Juvenile Justice system emphasizing on creation of a safe, supportive environment for children in legal settings. Observation homes foster this by minimizing intimidation with specialized police units like the Special Juvenile Police Unit and Child Welfare Police Force which are dedicated to handling cases with care for child sensitivity. Additionally, children in need of care and protection (CNCP) receive age-appropriate support, including adoption eligibility up to age 18, ensuring a comprehensive approach to child welfare.
Ms. Jha presented forth the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act which enforces strict privacy protections for child victims, prohibiting revictimization during investigations and ensuring sensitive handling of cases. She addressed the need for gender sensitization in the context of sexual crimes. Support measures include assigning a support person for each victim and ensuring safety even when perpetrators are out on bail, prioritizing victim well-being throughout the process.
Dr. Baxi elaborated on the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act. Under this Act, children under 14 are strictly prohibited from working in any occupation or process, except for family businesses outside school hours and during holidays, to preserve their right to education. Adolescents aged 14-18 are allowed to work in non-hazardous jobs while penalties for employers violating these provisions exist for the situation otherwise. He also gave insights from his experience in the field and suggested the amalgamation of all child-related laws through chapterisation.
Mr. Trivedi highlighted the challenge of child marriage, emphasizing the vital role of Child Marriage Prevention Officers in identifying and stopping early marriages through vigilant monitoring and collaboration with local authorities. He addressed the need for capacity-building programs, especially for young widows, to ensure financial well-being. Finally, a strong call for student involvement was made, to participate in advocacy, educate communities, and push for meaningful change in child protection.
The workshop offered students valuable insights into prevailing societal challenges, emphasizing the importance of community involvement, legal frameworks, and proactive measures. It highlighted the need for awareness and capacity-building initiatives while calling for active student participation in driving change and addressing social issues effectively.
Dr. Shivani Mehta, Assistant Professor at the Institute coordinated the event.