In a perfect world, children would grow up to be healthy and happy. But, today in India, this is not so. From very early, children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds face problems. And, this impacts their lives negatively. They do not have access to basic basic amenities like food, clothing, health care and education.

Let’s take a look at some of the problems they face:

Where every child is safe

Child rights defined by the United Nations and United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) states that a child must be ensured of the basic needs for physical protection, food, universal state-paid education, health care, and criminal laws appropriate for the age and development of the child, equal protection of the child’s civil rights, and freedom.

Stand with her

In many parts of India, the birth of a girl child does not bring happiness. Girls are discriminated against, they are prone to abuse and exploitation. Many a time, they are kept at home and not sent to school, as that would incur additional expense. Often, girls as young as 12 and 13 are married off, forcing them to give up going to school and jeopardising their health too.

Quench the thirst

Children born to poor parents face poverty, and have no access to food, education, health care. And, more often than not, they are forced to do work to supplement the family income.

Off to school

India has more than one billion people, and just one-third of them can read. Why? Because, governments have not been able to keep pace with the rapidly growing population. Education has taken a beating with shortage of teachers, books and basic facilities.

Sheltered lives

This is a serious problem in India, where children are taken away from their homes and sold, forced to work. It is those from disadvantaged social class that are most vulnerable.