Bachpan Bachao Andolan

Bachpan Bachao Andolan is a pioneering Indian movement founded by Kailash Satyarthi, a renowned Nobel Peace Prize laureate, in collaboration with Mukti Ashram, Chennai-based Tamil Nadu organization, and Bal Ashram Trust, to combat child labour and child trafficking in India, supported by UNICEF, International Labour Organization, and Save the Children. The movement has been instrumental in rescuing and rehabilitating thousands of child labourers from various industries, including carpet weaving, brick kilns, and agriculture, with the help of National Human Rights Commission of India, Supreme Court of India, and Indian Police Service. Kailash Satyarthi has worked closely with Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and Desmond Tutu to raise awareness about child rights and education for all, as envisioned by United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Millennium Development Goals.

Introduction

Bachpan Bachao Andolan has been at the forefront of the child rights movement in India, working tirelessly to protect children from exploitation and abuse, with support from Indian government, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The organization has been instrumental in creating awareness about the plight of child labourers and the importance of education in India, as highlighted by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid-day Meal Scheme, and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan. With the help of non-governmental organizations like Oxfam, ActionAid, and Plan International, Bachpan Bachao Andolan has been able to reach out to thousands of children and provide them with education, healthcare, and rehabilitation services, as recommended by World Health Organization, UNESCO, and International Committee of the Red Cross.

History

The movement was founded in 1980 by Kailash Satyarthi, who was inspired by the Sarvodaya movement and the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Babasaheb Ambedkar. Initially, the movement focused on rescuing child labourers from carpet weaving and brick kiln industries, with the support of Indian Trade Union Congress, All India Trade Union Congress, and Hind Mazdoor Sabha. Over the years, the movement has expanded its scope to include child trafficking, child marriage, and corporal punishment, as addressed by Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, and Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. Bachpan Bachao Andolan has worked closely with government agencies like Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Women and Child Development, and National Crime Records Bureau to create a child-friendly environment in India, as envisioned by United Nations Children's Fund and International Labour Organization.

Objectives

The primary objective of Bachpan Bachao Andolan is to rescue and rehabilitate child labourers and trafficked children, with the help of law enforcement agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, and State Police. The movement also aims to create awareness about child rights and education among parents, teachers, and community leaders, as recommended by National Council of Educational Research and Training, National University of Educational Planning and Administration, and Indian Institute of Technology. Additionally, Bachpan Bachao Andolan works to advocate for policy changes and legislative reforms to protect children from exploitation and abuse, with the support of Parliament of India, State Legislatures, and Judiciary of India.

Activities and Campaigns

Bachpan Bachao Andolan has launched several campaigns and programs to achieve its objectives, including rescue operations, rehabilitation centers, and education programs, with the help of non-governmental organizations like CARE India, World Vision India, and Save the Children India. The movement has also organized rallies, protests, and awareness campaigns to highlight the plight of child labourers and trafficked children, as supported by Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, and Communist Party of India (Marxist). Furthermore, Bachpan Bachao Andolan has collaborated with international organizations like United Nations, European Union, and Asian Development Bank to address the global issue of child labour and child trafficking, as addressed by Palermo Protocols, United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

Impact and Achievements

Bachpan Bachao Andolan has had a significant impact on the lives of thousands of children in India, with the support of Indian government, state governments, and local authorities. The movement has rescued and rehabilitated over 80,000 child labourers and trafficked children, and has helped to create a child-friendly environment in India, as recognized by United Nations Children's Fund, International Labour Organization, and Save the Children. Additionally, Bachpan Bachao Andolan has contributed to the enactment of legislative reforms, including the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, with the help of Parliament of India, State Legislatures, and Judiciary of India.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite its achievements, Bachpan Bachao Andolan has faced several challenges and controversies, including resistance from industries and individuals who exploit children, as addressed by National Human Rights Commission of India, Supreme Court of India, and Indian Police Service. The movement has also faced funding constraints and bureaucratic hurdles, which have hindered its ability to scale up its operations, as highlighted by Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Public Accounts Committee, and Committee on Public Undertakings. Furthermore, Bachpan Bachao Andolan has been criticized by some for its methods and approach, which have been perceived as confrontational and aggressive, as reported by The Hindu, The Indian Express, and Times of India. However, the movement remains committed to its mission of protecting children from exploitation and abuse, with the support of Indian government, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations, as envisioned by United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Millennium Development Goals. Category:Indian social movements