Project Summary

The objective of this project is to build a well-functioning network to bring in policy changes where children have secure environment and all rights are ensured for all children in Andhra Pradesh.

Photos and Videos

To be updated soon.

Region Demographics

The southern state of Andhra Pradesh (AP) is home for 76 million people (2001 census), with an average literacy rate of 60% putting it at 28th position in the country. AP has reported highest incidences of child labor in comparison to other states.  There are over 1.3 million children in the age group of 5 – 14 years that are employed in various organized and unorganized sectors, constituting to an average of 11% of total child labour in the country (source)!. The makes AP the state with the highest child labor percentage in India. Many of these child laborers come from Nalgonda, Kurnool, Mehboobnagar districts and some are also migrants from neighboring states. Typically, middlemen procure these children from their parents into cities, and they fall prey to many dangers including sexual abuse. As such, child related issues have become a major area of concern for policy makers and NGOs in the state.

Intervention Details

It is important to understand the defintion of "advocacy". Advocacy means to influence public policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions. Advocacy can include media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research or poll. Lobbying is a form of advocacy where a direct approach is made to legislators on an issue (Source).

Several activities are in progress to achieve the below-listed objectives of our advocacy against child labor:

1. Involve all concerned individuals and groups such as NGOs, civil society organizations to make AP a child friendly state.
2. Sensitize all departments and the community on the need for protection of children by upholding child rights in all places and at all times.
3. Ensure that the state creates mechanisms to address grievances and child rights violations by constituting Child Rights Commission and corresponding mechanisms at the grassroots level.
4. Sensitize political leaders/parties on children’s issues for the right kind of policies to be created for the children.
5. Create a cohesive group of NGOs that reflects  a strong Campaign Against Child Labor network.

Past Accomplishments

2010/2011

• To be updated soon

2009/2010

• Over 1,400 children and 250 NGOs interacted with members of legislative bodies (MLAs, MLCs, MPs) where the children raised questions regarding violation of child rights, child abuse, corporal punishment and Right to Education Act.
• Children collected / mailed 100,000 signatures and 10,000 postcards as part of a campaign to demand the creation of a State Child Rights Protection Commission. These were sent to the state's education minister and the Chief Minister.
• Children conducted a social audit/survey of 1,200 children in 20 districts. The findings  were presented to the state education minister.
• We helped to form 75 Child Rights Clubs/ Children’s Groups in 11 districts.
  

Success Stories

To be updated soon. 

About our Partner NGO 

• CACL-AP was established in 1992 with the single aim of total eradication of child labor in the state.
• HELP was established in 1993 to create a safe, supportive and responsive society that upholds the protection of rights and dignity of every child in Andhra Pradesh.
• HELP is one of the foremost organizations in Andhra Pradesh to create a wide awareness on child trafficking and children in sex work. They have worked with other organizations to create a safety net of NGOs in the Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh with support form various grant making organizations such as Plan International, UNICEF, and TdH Germany.
• HELP has taken active part in the Right to Education campaign and has been instrumental in coordinating network activities of Andhra Pradesh Alliance for Child Rights (APACR) in Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
• The chief functionary of HELP is a journalist with the skills needed to successfully drive advocacy efforts in the state.