Child Welfare and Rights
Child rights framework
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989, sets four general principles: non-discrimination; best interests of the child; right to life, survival and development; and respect for the child's views. Rights are indivisible: survival, protection, development and participation.
Protection and Indian provisions
Key examples include the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015; the POCSO Act 2012; the Right to Education Act 2009, with free and compulsory education for ages 6 to 14; child labour prohibition law; ICDS for early childhood services; Mid-Day Meal; Beti Bachao Beti Padhao; and the NCPCR as a statutory body. Know age groups and purposes, not just names.
Role of family, school and community
Family provides care, attachment and early stimulation; school provides safety, inclusion and child-friendly pedagogy; community provides monitoring, referral and awareness. Child protection requires reporting and a multi-agency response.
Worked example
A 10-year-old is working in a shop instead of attending school. Reasoning: this engages the RTE Act because the child is within the 6 to 14 age band, and it also engages child labour law. The response is school re-enrolment plus a protection referral, not merely advice to the family. Identify the right, the law and the responsible agency.
Traps
Do not reduce child rights to protection only; participation is a right. Do not mix the RTE age band of 6 to 14 with ICDS, which serves ages 0 to 6. Do not treat the NCPCR as a court. Do not say the UNCRC is automatically Indian law; it is implemented through domestic laws.