PARA has set up 759 human rights clubs in 587 schools impacting 32,420 students in the two states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Human rights clubs are part of PARA’s Human Rights Education Program that is carried out in cooperation with the United Nations sponsored Institute of Human Rights Education.

“Youth in every region and in every culture around the globe are entitled to basic human rights,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Through educational programming, Salesian missionaries fight tirelessly each day to make sure the voices of marginalized youth are heard. Human rights clubs help to enhance this work and make sure every child knows his or her human rights and is able to become a part of the development process.”

Youth in India, especially those living in poverty, are faced with child abuse, neglect, exploitation and forced child labor at an alarming rate, according to UNICEF. India has the largest number of child laborers under the age of 14 in the world and many are forced into dangerous occupations and live on the streets. In 2010, India passed a landmark law mandating that all children between the ages of 6 and 14 be in school, but according to UNICEF, millions of children remain in the workforce. Full implementation of the law was to go into effect in 2013, but child workers can still be found in almost every industry in India. The problem is enforcing the law, particularly in high poverty regions of the country.

UNICEF also notes that millions of girls in India face discrimination, exploitation and sexual and physical abuse because of their age and their gender. A UNICEF report, “Hidden in Plain Sight 2014”, details the incidence and prevalence of interpersonal violence against children and highlights global figures and data from 190 countries. The UNICEF report notes that violence against children is often so prevalent and deeply ingrained in societies that it can go unseen and is many times accepted as the norm.

Because physical and sexual violence is hidden from public view and tolerated in some societies, it is challenging to gather true statistical data on the magnitude of the problem. In India, a total of 48,338 child rape cases were recorded from 2001 to 2011 but researchers are aware that many more cases go unreported. Fear of social stigma and further victimization often stop children and their families from reporting these crimes.

With more than 400 million poor people, or one-third of the world’s poor, according to UNICEF, ensuring youth have access to education in order for them to find stable employment at the appropriate age and break the cycle of poverty, is a priority in the country. Although more than 53 million people escaped poverty between 2005 and 2010, most remain vulnerable to falling back below the poverty line.

The goal of PARA’s human rights clubs is to ensure that youth are aware of their basic human rights as well as the resources available for prevention and ongoing support. PARA’s advocacy efforts with the government have resulted in more than 167,000 government teachers trained in human rights education. In addition, human rights lessons have been added to mainstream state school text books. Human rights clubs tackle issues relating to child marriage, sexual assault and exploitation, child labor, school dropout rates and the rights to nutrition, clean water and sanitation and adequate infrastructure for home and school.

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Sources:

Don Bosco India – National Convention of Human Rights Clubs in Schools

Salesian Missions – India

UNICEF – Hidden in Plain Sight September 2014 Report

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Youth focused their stories on positive events that have taken place since the focus on child rights began. One student spoke of how his club’s conversations with school authorities resulted in better quality mid-day meals. Another spoke of a rally his club conducted on World Environment Day which led to the school sanctioning a new wall around the compound and a program to get school dropouts back to class. Others highlighted their club’s effort to clear debris left in the wake of cyclone Hudhud and the sanitation issues at their schools.

The students concluded the event by addressing concerns that continue to affect their schools. Concerns included a serious need for more classrooms, clean safe drinking water and better sanitation as well as a wall surrounding the compound that houses one school, without which, the school is vulnerable to theft and other criminal activity at night.

“Protecting all children in our care is not just a responsibility, it is a priority and events like these allow youth to speak directly to the government officials who can make a difference in their lives. They also demonstrate the Salesian commitment to the welfare, protection and empowerment of children,” adds Fr. Hyde.

Youth in India, especially those living in poverty, are faced with child abuse, neglect, exploitation and forced child labor at an alarming rate, according to UNICEF. India has the largest number of child laborers under the age of 14 in the world and many are forced into dangerous occupations and live on the streets. In 2010, India passed a landmark law mandating that all children between the ages of 6 and 14 be in school, but according to UNICEF, millions of children remain in the workforce. Full implementation of the law was to go into effect in 2013, but child workers can still be found in almost every industry in India. The problem is enforcing the law, particularly in high poverty regions of the country.

UNICEF also notes that millions of girls in India face discrimination, exploitation and sexual and physical abuse because of their age and their gender. A recent UNICEF report, “Hidden in Plain Sight 2014”, details the incidence and prevalence of interpersonal violence against children and highlights global figures and data from 190 countries. The UNICEF report notes that violence against children is often so prevalent and deeply ingrained in societies that it can go unseen and is many times accepted as the norm.

Because physical and sexual violence is hidden from public view and tolerated in some societies, it is challenging to gather true statistical data on the magnitude of the problem. In India, a total of 48,338 child rape cases were recorded from 2001 to 2011 but researchers are aware that many more cases go unreported. Fear of social stigma and further victimization often stop children and their families from reporting these crimes.

With more than 400 million poor people, or one-third of the world’s poor, according to UNICEF, ensuring youth have access to education in order for them to find stable employment at the appropriate age and break the cycle of poverty, is a priority in the country. Although more than 53 million people escaped poverty between 2005 and 2010, most remain vulnerable to falling back below the poverty line.

Salesian missionaries in India operate more than 200 child rights centers throughout the country. The goal is to ensure that youth are aware of their basic human rights as well as the resources available for prevention and ongoing support. Since 2008, People’s Action For Rural Awakening (PARA) in partnership with the Institute of Human Rights Education has been in the forefront of bringing human rights education to government schools in the Indian state of  Andhra Pradesh on the southeastern coast. The effort also extends to schools in the neighboring state of  Telengana. PARA’s advocacy efforts with the government have resulted in over 167,000 government teachers trained in human rights education. In addition, human rights lessons have been added to mainstream state school text books.

“Youth in every region and in every culture around the globe are entitled to basic human rights,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Through educational programming, Salesian missionaries fight tirelessly each day to make sure the voices of marginalized youth are heard and accounted for. Child rights programs help to enhance this work and make sure every child knows his or her human rights.”

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Sources:

ANS – Celebrating Children’s Right To Be Heard

UNICEF – Hidden in Plain Sight September 2014 Report

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The UNICEF report notes that violence against children is often so prevalent and deeply ingrained in societies that it can go unseen and is many times accepted as the norm. In India, about 77 percent of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 have been subjected to sexual violence by their spouses, the report noted, with more than half of the girls in the age group having faced physical abuse at the hands of their parents. The report also indicated that each year an increasing number of children in India face sexual violence. In addition, it was noted that India had the third highest number of young homicide victims in 2012, with nearly 9,400 children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 killed that year alone.

Because physical and sexual violence is hidden from public view and tolerated in some societies, it is challenging to gather true statistical data on the magnitude of the problem. In India, a total of 48,338 child rape cases were recorded from 2001 to 2011 but researchers are aware that many more cases go unreported. Fear of social stigma and further victimization often stop children and their families from reporting these crimes. The effects of sexual violence are long-lasting with the abuse affecting both physical and mental health, often undermining a child’s development and compromising their ability to learn and socialize with their peers.

At the Don Bosco school in Ravulapalem on the outskirts of the city of Hyderabad in southern India, an awareness campaign was launched by the Salesian-run organization, People’s Action For Rural Awakening (PARA) in response to the growing need for prevention of sexual abuse and trafficking of adolescent girls. The campaign is called, “Surakshita” and was kicked off on November 13 in honor of the globally celebrated, Day of Disadvantaged Children.

“Protecting all children in our care is not just a responsibility, it is a priority and this awareness campaign demonstrates the Salesian commitment to the welfare, protection and empowerment of children,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Education is power and the more we can educate youth, especially young girls, about the dangers of sexual abuse and trafficking as well as provide them information and tools for prevention, the better chance we have at keeping them safe.”

As part of the awareness program, PARA has planned 500 two-hour workshops in selected schools and colleges across the two Indian States of Andhra Pradesh and Telengana. The programs are comprised of interactive sessions targeted to young girls to help them understand sexuality and learn about the methods sexual predators often use to prey on young girls. Information regarding the laws and policies that protect girls and address their disclosures of abuse will also be shared.

In addition, campaign posters were created highlighting awareness of sexual abuse and trafficking which will be displayed in schools and local youth centers and a quick reference handbook with information regarding laws and policies for the protection of adolescent girls and women was released. Members of Salesian-run human rights clubs are participating in the awareness program by bringing the educational program and awareness materials back to their respective schools.

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Sources:

Don Bosco India – “Surakshita” – a Campaign to Prevent Sexual Abuse and Trafficking of Adolescent Girls

UNICEF – Hidden in Plain Sight September 2014 Report

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Andhra Pradesh is the first state in India to develop a Human Rights Education program for its government schools. Recently, training in the dynamics of Human Rights Education was given to 60 state level trainers. These trainers will bring their new skills to 23 district levels, that will in turn, reach all government schools in the state.

“When people are aware of their rights, they have the power to take part in the decision-making process. They do not have to depend solely on the government to create changes in society and improve their quality of life,” says Fr. Thomas Pallithanam, a Salesian priest who led the development of the program, along with chairperson, Shri K.R. Venugopal.

The program is called a “breakthrough in Human Rights Education” by Shri K.R. Venugopal, former principal secretary to three Prime Ministers and now special rapporteur for the National Human Rights Commission and chairperson of the AP State Human Rights Education Committee.

According to a 2007 report by the National Human Rights Commission, creation of a strong and pro-active human rights community has been long overdue in India. The report outlines ways to introduce Human Rights Education into school curriculum to achieve desired transformation in social, cultural and economic policies.

According to Amnesty International, serious human rights concerns in India include class discrimination, severe poverty and the failure to provide justice for victims of human rights abuses. The World Bank cites “a tale of ‘two Indias’” saying that “while one India is on a rapid development trajectory, the other has 300 million people living below the poverty line and wide gender, caste, ethnic and regional disparities.

Participants in the inauguration of the Human Rights Education program included well-known child rights activists, a high court advocate and a representative from the National Law University.

A unique feature of this training program is the utilization of the Don Bosco educational concept known as the “Preventive System.” This approach was developed specifically for at-risk youth in the world’s poorest communities and utilizes a caring, holistic approach to education.

“We will be working to develop a culture of human rights in dealing with young people, as well as teaching them how to make positive changes in their lives that create hope for the future. Our goal is to take Human Rights Education out of the textbook and bring it into their daily lives,” says Fr. Pallithanam.

Fr. Pallithanam is a Salesian priest and a human rights activist in India associated with movements of the landless poor and the creation of women’s self-empowerment groups. He is also known for his work building community-based organizations in the village of Ravulapalem in the East Godavari district. He is currently serving as the director of the Peoples Action for Rural Awakening, a Don Bosco social action initiative which manages self-help groups in the area.

SOURCES:

Amnesty International

National Human Rights Commission

Don Bosco India Information Service

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