Citation

Mitra N. Health Millions 1995; 21(2): 4-5.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Health for the Millions Trust)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12289898

Abstract

Children should develop in loving, nurturing, safe environments in which they do not have to worry about or endure physical and/or emotional abuse. Children are a nation's most important asset. They really should be concerned only with pursuing their education, learning how to socialize with their peers and elders, learning from their peers and role models, and performing light, household chores which are commonly expected of other members of the family. Life is difficult for most families and households in the majority of developing countries, and survival is an ongoing challenge. In such settings, children are called upon to help supplement family income. Many children in India begin working by the age of four years. They then spend their childhood in 12-hour workdays to earn Rs. 90 per month. 20% of India's GNP is produced by the largest number of child laborers in any country worldwide. Children in India work under exploitative and inhuman conditions. They are inadequately compensated financially, suffer emotional and physical abuse, and have extremely limited access to education, food, water, and shelter. After losing their childhood, these individuals spend their futures in poor health and poverty. The hazardous working conditions of the bangle industry are described. For these children, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has no meaning. It is the duty of the state and society to ensure that children receive the opportunity for education, growth, and health mental and physical development. Measures must be undertaken to that end.

Language: en