District-Level Children’s Parliament – Ajjampura, Chikkamagaluru

On October 10, 2024, Chinthana Foundation, with the support of Child Rights Trust (CRT), Karnataka Child Rights Observatory (KCRO), and UNICEF Hyderabad, organized a District-Level Children’s Parliament at Ajjampura Town in Chikkamagaluru district. The event focused on critical issues affecting children, including education, health, shelter, sports and culture, and child rights.

A total of 45 children, along with school teachers, local stakeholders, and Chinthana staff, actively participated in the program. Children presented their perspectives and highlighted key concerns and demands. These issues and recommendations have been consolidated to be discussed further during the State-Level Children’s Parliament planned at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, in November 2024. The agenda will include a consultation meeting with the MLA and MLC to present the children’s demands.

Key Issues and Children’s Recommendations

1. Ending Child Abuse

• Ensure the right to protection for all children.

• Raise awareness on the prevention of child trafficking.

• Educate about the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences).

• Strengthen efforts to prevent child labour and provide rehabilitation.

• Actively prevent child marriage through education and monitoring.

• Implement strategies to combat sexual exploitation of children.

2. Ending Malnutrition

• Improve enrolment and regular attendance of children in schools and anganwadis.

• Ensure timely supply and consumption of nutritious food for children.

• Regularly measure height and weight to monitor health.

• Provide a balanced diet including vegetables, eggs, pulses, and fruits.

• Conduct routine health check-ups for early diagnosis and care.

• Monitor and report on malnutrition among children and women in the community.

3. Learning Recovery and Child Rights

• Encourage active participation in sports and cultural programs.

• Involve children in Children’s Grama Sabhas, Children’s Clubs, and School Management Committees (SMCs).

• Protect children from addiction to mobile phones and over-reliance on online classes.

• Introduce child-friendly programs in government schools to foster engagement.

• Provide additional support for children’s education, especially those who are lagging behind.

4. Universal Immunization and Health Awareness

• Conduct awareness campaigns on nutrition and eco-friendly practices.

• Maintain regular health checkups at schools.

• Promote organic kitchen gardens within schools to grow chemical-free vegetables.

• Adopt proper health and hygiene practices for children.

• Provide safe and clean drinking water, ensuring adequate supply based on school enrollment.

5. Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability

• Establish school kitchen gardens managed by children to support nutrition and environmental education.

• Promote tree planting and the creation of school gardens to protect the environment.

• Work towards plastic-free school campuses to reduce environmental impact.

This initiative empowered children to voice their concerns and actively participate in democratic processes. It emphasized the need for systemic reforms to protect child rights, ensure health and education, and foster an environment where children can grow with dignity, safety, and opportunity.