QUE: Discuss two important steps taken by the government to protect the rights of children.

The government has always taken various steps in a positive direction to protect the rights of children. Such as, framing of legal framework, aggressive policy implementation, awareness raising in collaboration with civil society, various portals-initiatives etc.

The steps taken by the government to protect the rights of children are as follows: POCSO Act 2012, Juvenile Justice Act, RTE Act 2000, Child Protection Act 2005, Pencil Portal, Beti Bachao- Beti Padhao, Operation Smile, Integrated Child Protection Scheme, establishment of NCPCR etc.

❖ POCSO Act, 2012

⇨ Children are defined in this act as those below the age of 18 years. This law is gender neutral. It believes that boys can also be victims of sexual violence.

⇨ It specifically provides for punishment for coming into contact with children or making child sexual abuse material.

⇨ This Act lays down the procedure for reporting sexual offences against children.

⇨ It places the burden of proof on the accused, assuming guilt until proven innocent, unlike the IPC.

⇨ This Act provides for imprisonment of up to 3 years, fine or both.

But there are several challenges before this Act. Such as – lack of complaints, lack of awareness, poor conviction rate, exclusion of cyber or online crimes, etc.

❖ Juvenile Justice Act, 2015

The Act, amended in 2015, changed the name of ‘juvenile’ to ‘child’ and ‘child in conflict with the law’.

It also provides definitions for minor, serious and heinous crimes committed by children.

Accordingly, there is a provision of maximum imprisonment of 7 years for heinous crimes, 3 to 7 years for serious crimes and a maximum imprisonment of 3 years for minor crimes.

This Act provides further clarity on the functions and powers of the Juvenile Justice Board and the Child Welfare Commission.

This Act provides for an efficient and organized system for adoption of orphans, surrendered and abandoned children.

It also makes registration mandatory for all child care institutions.

This Act also gives statutory status to the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA).

Thus, with the above efforts of the Government, it can be said without a doubt that by protecting the interests of children, we will be able to realize the vision of “inclusive society” and “people-oriented governance”.