Transform childhoods of 500 slum children in India

72.5% of the population living in M-east ward lives in slums. The ward has the lowest Human Development Index in the city. The ward not only houses various slums but is also home to resettlement colonies, comprising of people living in slums from different parts of the city who have been rehabilitated here.

Lallubhai Compound with a human density of 653 persons/acre is one such resettlement colony located in the M-east ward of the city. This colony is located near a garbage incinerator, slaughter house and an open drain surrounding the community.

The lack of basic amenities and unsanitary living conditions back the claim that such communities are invisible for the administration. Invisibility of such communities are an impediment in accessing rights by people living here.

Keeping this in mind it was felt necessary by YUVA to educate children about their rights mandated by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

A workshop with 68 children (age group 12-16) from Lallubhai Compound was organised in this regards. During this workshop the children were informed of their rights as mandated by the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The rights mandated through 52 articles were divided into 4 rights i.e. Right to Survival; Right to Development; Right to Participation and Right to Protection.

Along with education the children about their rights the workshop also focused on government systems that are created for ensuring the deliverance of these rights to each and every child. Systems such as Childline, Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board and laws drafted for protection of rights such as Right to Education.