Statement by India under Agenda Item 3 : Interactive Dialogue with Special Representative to the Secretary-General on violence against children during 44th Session of the Human Rights Council ( 30 June – 21 July 2020), delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, (Geneva, 02 July 2020)

Thank you Mr. Vice-President,

We thank the Special Representative for the presentation of the report. Our full statement would be uploaded on the Extranet. Violence against children continues to be manifested in various forms under different settings. Its impact is cross-cutting inducing life-long mental health of children. Its disconcerting that a large number of children are victims of violence aggravated by new technologies, climate change, spread of terrorism, violent extremism. Such global challenges would require cooperation from all stakeholders at the global, regional and national levels.

2. Poverty, lack of livelihood opportunities, illiteracy continue to enhance vulnerabilities of children to become victims of violence. The role of families, communities and societies towards the protection of children from all forms of violence is crucial. The obligation of States in strengthening child protection measures, employment generation, poverty alleviation and ensuring growth and development is essential to guarantee a safe environment for children.

Mr. Vice-President,

3. Ending violence against children remains a high priority for the Government of India. India has moved from child welfare policies to a rights-based approach for a holistic child protection system. A number of legislative and administrative measures have been enacted on child protection including mental health issues:

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences, the Criminal Law Amendment Act for addressing all forms of trafficking; the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, the ‘Integrated Child Protection Scheme’, the Right to Education Act, the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Amendment Act, the National Policy for Children are some of the key measures.

4. We are also of the view that achieving SDGs particularly relating to children would ameliorate the condition of children. India is presenting its second Voluntary National Review Report on the Implementation of SDGs at High Level Political Forum. Additionally, a rights-based approach has been in place for ensuring access to mental healthcare for children and adolescent under the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017.

Mr. Vice-President,

5. The report of the Special Representative identifies risk factors on violence against children. This, in turn, would help in developing integrated preventive interventions at various levels. We also agree with the view that an intersectoral and multi-stakeholder approach would be required to create an enabling environment for children to attain the highest attainable standard of mental health.

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.

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