Children under the age of 18 comprise
37% of India's population
Many of them experience deprivation such as lack of access to basic education, nutrition or health care. In addition, many are subjected to various forms of abuse, neglect, violence, and maltreatment which dominate their childhood experience.
Further violations of child rights, legitimized by cultural practices and customs deeply rooted in the male-dominant patriarchal society, involve child marriage, of which 326 incidences were reported in 2015-16, and gender discrimination, which has created significant gender disparity.
This is reflected in the preference for providing educational opportunities for the male child. The perception of girl children as a burden to the family also leads to sex selective abortion which has resulted in an unequal sex ratio in the country with 933 females per 1000 males (Census, 2011).
India's Children at Peril
32,973 cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act
- 19,765 cases of child rape
- 12,226 cases of sexual assault
- 934 cases of sexual harassment
- 47 cases of use of children for pornography
Additional abuse includes domestic abuse, child trafficking and child labor. Statistics for 2015-16.
2015-2016: 32,973 cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act
- 19,765 cases of child rape
- 12,226 cases of sexual assault
- 934 cases of sexual harassment
- 47 cases of use of children for pornography
Additional abuse includes domestic abuse, child trafficking and child labor.
10.1 million children between 5-14 years of age are working.
This accounts for 3.9% of the total child population, and of these children:
- 26% used as peasants/cultivators,
- 9% as agricultural laborers,
- 2% as household industry workers,
- 8% as other workers (Census, 2011).
