Chennai: In a move to create awareness among political parties on the plight of children and their rights, Child Rights and You (CRY), an NGO, launched a campaign in Chennai on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after commencing, ‘Vote for Children Campaign’, as part of the nationwide programme, CRY regional director (south) Suma Ravi said as the parties would finalise their manifestos early next year prior to the general election, CRY has initiated a move to raise awareness among party leaders on issues faced by children in the country.
This may pave the way for inclusion of their issues in the election manifestos and enacting legislation during next regime and ameliorate the condition of children.
The child protection receives least attention from political parties and no party makes reference to children, who comprise 40 per cent of total population, in the manifestos.
CRY hopes to ensure that parties demonstrate their commitment to children by prioritising their issues in the party manifesto.
Suma Ravi pointed out that every second child in the country was malnourished, 79 per cent of children and 56 per cent of adolescent girls were found anaemic. Over 11 per cent of children were engaged in some form of child labour and 45 per cent girls get married before attaining the age of 18 years.
Hence, CRY has also planned to sensitise and motivate voters, especially first time voters, to actively participate in the democratic process and engage the government and politicians to put children first, she added.
She hoped that the Right to Education would be fully implemented and amended to include 3 to 6 years and 15 to 18 years old in the children category.
A series of events will be organised to raise awareness among the political parties and also CRY has planned to meet party leaders across the country on the issue.
