The United National General Assembly adopted Child Rights Covenant on November 20, 1989. By signing on the Covenant in 1992, the Government of India has committed itself to accord their rights to the children.
It has been agreed that family is the founding group of the society. It has also been agreed that all possible protection and help should be given to all the members, particularly development of children and their happiness so they can play their role to the fullest in the society.
It should be understood that a child should grow in environment of happiness, love and mutual understanding in the family for his complete and appropriate development. Child should be readied with his/her specific personality and he/she should be brought up according to the ideals enshrined in the Covenant, particularly peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and mutual unity.
Bal Panchayat is a forum where children in 6-14 years age group gather, discuss interests of children and advocate for rights deprived children.
Objectives of Bal Panchayat
Protection and promotion of child rights
Giving rights to children deprived of their rights
Promote demand of child rights
Reach government services to children and improve them
Create awareness among bal panchayats for their rights
Why Bal Panchayats
Create environment in favour of child rights
Identification of child labour
Identification of non-school going children
Identification of children irregular in schools
Understand sexual discrimination
Identification of migrating children
Identification of employers of child labour
Knowing family condition of children
Identification of children indulging in misconduct and bad habits
Benefits from Bal Panchayat
Will be able to understand real condition of brothers and sisters in 6-14 years age group
Will be able to identify owners employing child labour
Will be able to know government run welfare programmes
Will be able to identify child friendly community
Will be able to have their own identity with the help of child forum
Structure of Bal Panchayat
Chief, Child Rights Information Centre, Postman, Child Surveillance Committee, Resource Surveillance Committee, Coordinator, Child Friend and Facilitator
21-Characteristics of Smiling Child Village
Birth and death registration is being compulsorily done.
Sons and daughters are being given equal opportunity for development.
Continuous improvement is being affected in reproductive and child health services.
All children in 6-14 years age group are going to school
Number of drop-outs in 6-14 years age group is constantly going down
No child 6-14 years age group is working as labour
All girls are being married/sent to in-laws’ home after 18 years
Strong advocacy is being done for child labour free village
Bal panchayat is participating in meetings of bal panchayats
Effect of educational environment is visible in villages
Mahila Mandal is actively participating in all the committees and decisions of panchayat
All poor families are being identified as below poverty line families
Women are being empowered socially, economically and politically
Coordination is being strengthened locally and targeted plans are being activated
Transparency is visible in implementation of development projects
Mutual faith and self-reliance is increasing in the community
Entrepreneurship development programmes are being promoted
Because of constant fall in social bad customs life is improving
Domestic and other violence against women is decreasing
Initiatives are being taken for resolving village disputes within villages
Community is becoming aware about right to information
