Child Welfare – Measures to Combat Violation, Exploitation, & Abuse

Abstract

Biologically, Child falls within the state of human development in between the stages of birthand puberty below the age of 14 years of age. Child is a gift of almighty which need to benurtured, cared, respected, loved and protected. The children during their tender age requireabundant care, love and affection from their parents, relatives and friends. Almost 40 percentapproximately 440 million of Indian population comprises of children. Small children are thevictims of erroneous offenses including Child Labour, Rape, Sexual Exploitation, ForcedMarriage, Torture, Kidnapping, Negligence, Deprivation, etc. The violation of Child Rights inthe name of tradition, religion, gender, class, caste, race and reputation causes physical or mentalinjury or even death of innocent children. Many children are frequently subjected to physical orsexual abuses at home, school, and society. Child Right falls within the ambit of Human Rights
for food, basic needs, education, health care, identity and freedom of children. Child Protectionshall be emphasized within the policy framework of both Central and State Government. ChildWelfare is possible through the collective efforts of Police, social workers, health careprofessionals, local authorities,volunteers and general public. This paper describes about variousproblems faced by the children, child welfare schemes implemented in the multifaceted areas,statutory protection and various efforts to combat violence, discrimination, neglect, abuse andexploitation against children in India.