Protecting child rights

Endorsement of the Child Rights Manifesto (CRM)--- prepared jointly by children and young people with UNICEF support---by 12 political parties including the major ones likely to come to power through the upcoming election is quite a positive development. By signing the document, these political parties are indeed pledge-bound to honour their commitment when in power. In Almighty Allah's eyes, every child is precious and deserved to be loved, nurtured and honoured with quality care. The Biblical reference to child rights also is highly illuminating where caring for children is a prerequisite for entering heaven. Borrowing from the Bible, Tolstoy inferred that if one wants to enter heaven, one must be like children whose prized possessions are "humility, simplicity, trust and a lack of worldly snares and pride". In today's world too, the most child-caring nations are generally the most developed ones. So, the signing of the CRM can be a milestone in the history of Bangladesh politics provided that a political party or their coalition winning the next election sticks to its commitment.

Unfortunately, the political system and society here have proved they are child-unfriendly. The social structure has developed on disparities and deprivation of children born to homes ---often village huts and urban slums or ghettos---forcing them to wallow in perpetual poverty for generations. Many of these children run away from homes to be street children. When the educated and privileged people feel no qualms about the existence of grinding poverty and dehumanised condition and continue to amass wealth by any means---fair or foul, the system of governance has a crucial role to play for narrowing down the yawning gaps in social classes, living standards and livelihood options. Mere signing of a document without acting decisively to change the lot of the poor and the marginal people is no guarantee for pulling them out of the rut.   

A radical change in the mindset of the ruling class is a prerequisite for influencing social concerns for the deprived. When money looted in billions from banks or financial institutes is allowed to be laundered abroad and the perpetrators can flee the country, it is a betrayal of trust that holds society together. Such treachery is a good enough incentive for people down the rank to engage in criminal activities. The law and order breaks down and the well-being of the poor and the deprived stay out of sight. Without improving the condition of poor and marginal families, it is impossible to ameliorate the lot of the children born to such families.

Are the political leaderships ready for undertaking such a challenge? Non-performing loans and the laundered money of fabulous sums would be more than enough to launch an effective poverty-reduction programme. Selfish politicians and bureaucracy have time and again proved that their mutual self-serving policies have no intention of sharing the national wealth with the underclass. Even the trickle-down benefits could bring about some change, albeit not up to the mark, at the mid level of society. Clearly, required investments in education of children of the poverty-stricken and calamity-affected families is a key to retaining the young ones in learning process and skill development without which they are ill-equipped to meet the challenges facing them. Equitable distribution of wealth has bypassed the majority of people. Before guaranteeing that children belonging to poor families enjoy their rights, the condition and environment of their households have to be made congenial for the purpose.