(a) whether India has been ranked 116 in the global index of places where childhood is most threatened, lagging behind many of its neighbouring countries and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is also true that according to the said index, India fails to give kids a safe childhood and scored worst in protecting the girl child; and
(c) if so, the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)
(a) to (c) As per the “Stolen Childhood” report of Save the Children covering 172 countries, India has been ranked at 116 on the childhood index. However, the data pertaining to various components used for arriving at rankings of various countries is not uniform. The National Plan of action for Children (NPAC) 2016 prepared by the Government provides a framework for convergence and co-ordination between Ministries/Departments and State/UTs Governments to address multiple vulnerabilities of children. The NPAC 2016 categorizes children’s rights under four key priority areas; (i) Survival, Health and Nutrition, (ii) Education and Development, (iii) Protection and (iv)Participation. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, contains effective provisions to curb the menace of child abuse. The Act provides mandatory reporting, child friendly provisions of recording of statement and evidence and speedy trial of the cases. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is mandated to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the POCSO Act, 2012 and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
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