NATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY

 

In the year 2008, the Ministry of Women and Child Development observed the first National Girl Child Day on 24^th January with an aim to highlight inequalities and gender discrimination issues faced by a girl child at various milestones in her life. Through this initiative, the Ministry endeavours to spread awareness about the rights of girl children, including the right to education, nutrition and health.

 The theme of the National Girl Child Day 2021 is to raise awareness about the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR). Across the country, several events were organised to commemorate this day. The  government also put emphasis on Beti Bachao Beti Badhao Scheme and several other schemes focusing on girl child empowerment on the national girl child day.

CHILDLINE 1098, India’s one and only emergency, 24-hour, toll-free helpline for children in distress has left no stone unturned to celebrate this day. Despite the pandemic, all the CHILDLINE partners across the country organised several events with all the COVID-19 protective and social distancing measures.

CHILDLINE plays an important role in the district level task force constituted for Beti Bachao Beti Badhao Scheme to advocate and create awareness among the community people. The teams represent at the district level during the meetings organised for Beti Bachao Beti Badhao scheme.

On the occasion of the girl child day, CHILDLINE Faridabad, Haryana organised an event and a meeting for children in Mirzapur slums. The children danced, created artworks including rangoli to celebrate the occasion. The CHILDLINE team motivated the children and distributed several prizes among them. In Jammu and Kashmir, CHILDLINE Anantnag organised a mass awareness event on the occasion where at least 45 girls along with the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) workers, local village committee members participated. The CHILDLINE team spread awareness about the services of CHILDLINE 1098 and the importance of a girl child and issues faced by them. CHILDLINE Bundi, Rajasthan celebrated national girl child day with children from shelter homes and slum areas and conducted a meeting with police officers on child rights and child issues.

Across 25 districts of Telangana, CHILDLINE celebrated national girl child’s day on 24^th, 25^th and 26^th January 2021 through different activities and events. A total of 351 officials and stakeholders from allied departments including ICDS and Panchayat Raj along with 1326 children and 602 adults participated. CHILDLINE Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh organised a National Girl Child Day programme at a shelter home in a village. Through this programme, the team discussed the CHILDLINE 1098 services, the importance of girl child education and the disadvantages of child marriage.

In Maharashtra, CHILDLINE Dhule celebrated the national girl child day in a special abled girl’s shelter home. The chief guests of the programme guided the girls about the objectives and the importance of the girl’s rights and education. In Kolhapur, CHILDLINE celebrated the girl child day in Ingavale Mala, Kuchkovari with 36 children.

In West Bengal, almost all the districts celebrated the national girl child day with great pomp and splendour. CHILDLINE Alipurduar distributed winter clothes among the children. An open house programme was organised by CHILDLINE Darjeeling at a school in Kurseong. Railway CHILDLINE Asansol also conducted an open house programme with the nearby local children. In the CHILDLINE advisory board meeting of 2020-21 in Bishnupur, West Bengal, Beti Bacchao Beti Padhao campaign was flagged off, link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXc0SAPcl4k

 

CHILDLINE JOINS A COVERT OPERATION TO RESCUE A 14-YEAR OLD FROM THE TRAFFICKERS

 

Thane CHILDLINE, Maharashtra received a call from Mission Mukti for assistance to rescue a 14 year-old girl confined at a warehouse in Thane district. CHILDLINE shared all the documents received from Mission Mukti with CWC (Child Welfare Committee), DCPU (District Child Protection Unit) and Sr. Police Inspector of the local police station.  The same evening, NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights) contacted CHILDLINE and confirmed the case of trafficking and sought assistance in the joint rescue operation conducted by the NCPCR and Mission Mukti. The NCPCR also shared the case details with CWC and DWCD (Department of Women and Child Development).  CHILDLINE was requested to coordinate with the CWC. 

The joint team of CHILDLINE, Mission Mukti and DCPO met the Sr. police Inspector at the police station to draw up a rescue plan. One senior officer and three Women Police Constables were assigned to join the rescue operation team. The team split into two groups and approached the location of the girl. After combing the area, the girl was found near the gate and taken into custody. The trafficker’s father who was also taken into custody summoned his son on to come to the Labour Camp on the phone. All of them were taken to the police station. 

The girl's statement was recorded at the police station. She revealed that the trafficker had brought her from West Bengal and married her. The CWC was informed about the girl’s rescue over the phone and as per their directions, she was admitted to the Amche Ghar, Shelter Home for girls. Then, the girl was presented before the CWC and is presently staying at the Shelter Home. The accused has been handed over to the West Bengal Police for further action.  The case is still going on.   

Child trafficking is one of the worst forms of modern-day slavery and child abuse. Each year, thousands of children are tricked, persuaded or forced to leave their homes and put their lives at risk in the worst and unimaginable ways. The victims are kept in inhuman conditions and forced into heinous and criminal activities.   

As a society, we need to come together to end this menace and safeguard the future of our children. Please call CHILDLINE 1098, if you come across a case of child trafficking.

CHILDLINE AND CYBER POLICE WORK TOGETHER ON OPERATION P-HUNT

 

A 26-year-old man was caught by the Cyber Police as part of Operation P-Hunt, a covert operation to nab people involved in child pornography. Many photos of children were recovered from his phone, and it also came to light that he was sexually abusing his niece, a young girl of 9 years. The police approached CHILDLINE Trivandrum, Kerala and requested support in counselling the child, as she was scared to talk to the police.

Upon counselling the child, CHILDLINE learnt that her uncle used to harass her when her mother and sister were not at home. He would also accompany her on the pretext of visiting the dentist and abuse her. He also went on to blackmail the child, stating that he would get caught by the police if she revealed what was happening. CHILDLINE also provided emotional support and guidance to the child and prepared her for the case proceedings.

The police also expressed their gratitude to the CHILDLINE team for their child-friendly approach and professionalism. Child pornography is one of the major detrimental side-effects of the development of digital technology. It has become a serious problem worldwide. Kerala police launched a covert surveillance operation P-hunt to curb this menace. Under this initiative, the police have arrested people involved in sharing and posting of child pornography.

Currently, Kerala police are monitoring the digital viewing and sharing of pornographic material round the clock and have reported an alarming rise of this heinous activity.

CHILDLINE PROTECTS AND SUPPORTS A MINOR VICTIM OF ABUSE

On 15^th June 2020, CHILDLINE Rourkela, Odisha, placed a 13-year old girl, Radha (name changed to protect identity) in a shelter home on the orders of Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Radha was rescued from the market place by the Biramitra police station where she was roaming aimlessly. She was kept under the custody of the medical officer at the Biramitrapur Community Health Center (CHC) since she was not feeling well and required medical attention. 

On further counseling, Radha revealed some startling details. She had undergone an abortion the previous night. She also mentioned that earlier the Biramitrapur police station officers had tried to admit her at the CHC. As the counseling session progressed further, CHILDLINE realized that the police along with the doctors had violated the MTP Act (Medical Termination Of Pregnancy Act, 1971). They all had given false information to the CWC.   

The local newspaper covered this case on 21^st June 2020. Next day, CWC recorded the statement of the child. As per orders from the CWC, the local DCPO (District Child Protection Officer) filed an FIR against six people including two police personnel and a medical officer of the CHC in the Biramitrapur area. Subsequently, the officer in-charge was suspended and his statement was recorded on 26^th June 2020. 

After getting all the necessary information, CHILDLINE immediately removed the child from the CHC and restored her with the open shelter. On the orders of the DGP (Director General of Police), the inspector was dismissed from the duty for sexually abusing a 13-year old girl for a period of four months and later forcefully terminating her pregnancy without informing the District Child Welfare Committee. CHILDLINE is providing emotional support, guidance and counseling to help Radha recover from the trauma. 

The DGP shared updates of the case on social media and apologized to the girl on social media.
If you come across any child in distress or trouble, please do not hesitate to call CHILDLINE on 1098.

A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED

Child marriage is a social evil that continues to plague our society even today. The children who get married at an early age, especially the girls, feel isolated and helpless with limited freedom. It is a widespread human rights violation that robs their childhood forever.

 In India, child marriage is a complex problem. It is deeply rooted in patriarchy. Child brides are stuck in the vicious circle of poverty due to lack of education and earning opportunities. Their health suffers because of underage and complicated pregnancies.  The consequences of child marriage are drastic and not only limit the progress of children but also of the overall society

Even though strict laws are criminalizing the practice of child marriage, we have not had much success to curb this problem. CHILDLINE 1098 is leaving no stone unturned to help eradicate child marriage. It is India’s only 24-hour free emergency phone outreach service for children in need of care and protection.

With the help CHILDLINE 1098, Raji, 16, convinced her parents to stop her marriage. Raji hailed from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. She had just completed her SSLC and her parents did not allow her to study any further. She often expressed her desire to study further to her friend Rathi who listened to her woes but was helpless.  Raji’s parents were planning her wedding. She vehemently opposed her marriage but her parents continued with the arrangements. Raji shared her grief with her friend Rathi who informed CHILDLINE 1098. Rathi had learnt about CHILDLINE during an awareness session in her school.

 CHILDLINE along with the local police and an Anganwadi worker immediately rushed to the rescue of the child. They gave ESG (Emotional Support and Guidance) to the child and counselled the parents. The CHILDLINE team explained the consequences of child marriage and laws against child marriage to the parents.  Eventually, Raji’s parents gave in and called off her wedding. They also gave a written statement that they will not organize her wedding until she is 18 years of age.

Thus, a friend in need is a friend indeed. If Raji’s friend Rathi had not informed CHILDLINE, Raji would have been stuck in a vicious circle of child marriage. You too can be a responsible friend like Rathi and help stop child marriage. All you have to do call 1098 for an immediate intervention to protect childhood.

Disclaimer:  Names and details have been changed to maintain confidentiality as required.