This election, vote for child rights

As India gears up for the 16th general elections, Child Rights and You (CRY), in its bid to ensure that political parties and people in power take heed to ‘Putting Children First’ launched its nationwide ‘Vote for Child Rights’ election advocacy campaign. At the launch, CRY also unveiled the child rights manifesto, that calls for all political parties to give top priority to children and commit to changing the situation of children in our country.

The manifesto is based on CRY’s in-depth analytical report “Status and Trends in Child Rights in India- An overview of the Past Decade and covers the aspirations of children across 18 states of India.” The report comprises of views of development thinkers and practitioners in the child rights arena and provides a detailed analysis of child rights indicators. Speaking about the campaign, Puja Marwah, CRY CEO, believes that the “Vote for Child Rights campaign is our way of ensuring that there is political will behind our justified demand to protect child rights.

It is imperative that the best interest of the child be put at the centre of all policy, legislation and practice and the Vote for Child Rights campaign focuses on that solely”. At the campaign launch, Suma Ravi, Regional Director (South), CRY, said, “This is our attempt to remind politicians and governments in power that it is their obligation to undertake all measures in protecting and promoting child rights.”