Statement by India at the Annual full-day meeting on the Rights of the Child on the Theme of ‘Rights of the child and the Sustainable Development Goals’ at the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council (22 February – 23 March 2021), delivered by Mr. Puneet Agrawal, Ambassador & Deputy Permanent Representative of India (Geneva, 1st March, 2021)
Madam President,
We appreciate the convening of this meeting and thank the High Commissioner for Human Rights for her opening statement and the panellists for their useful contribution.
As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, India is committed to ensuring that our children enjoy their right to survival, development, protection and participation. The Government has been striving to achieve the targets under the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 through implementation of different development schemes.
Various legislations in furtherance of these rights, such as, for protection of children from sexual offences, prohibition of child marriage and ensuring juvenile justice, have been enacted. Flagship national programmes for early childhood care and development; empowerment of adolescent girls; day care facilities; child protection service and prevention of gender biased sex determination are being eliminated. The National Education Policy 2020 proposes revision and revamping of all aspects of the education system, including its regulation and governance, for development of the creative potential of children.
Madam President,
In order to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, it was felt necessary for every State and Union Territory to devise a proper strategy for preventing increased dropouts, lower enrolments, loss of learning and deterioration in the gains made in providing universal access, quality and equity in the recent years. In January 2021, Ministry of Education issued guidelines for identification, admission and continued education of migrant children. During the pandemic, Governments of various States and Union Territories have been providing Food Security Allowance (FSA) comprising foodgrains, pulses, oil etc. to all eligible children till such time their schools are closed. At the national level, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued guidance to the States to ensure that women, children and adolescents continue to get all the healthcare services.
Madam President,
India is fully committed to ensuring that our nearly 500 million children live a life of dignity, in safety and with the right to protection against discrimination and exploitation.
Thank you, Madam President.
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