Shanta Sinha to head National Commission for child rights

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) Magasaysay Award winner children rights activist Shanta Sinha has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights which is tasked with examining all matters relating to children in a holistic manner.

The Commission would examine all factors inhibiting the enjoyment of rights by children affected by terrorism, communal violence, riots, natural disaster, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, trafficking, maltreatment, torture and exploitation, pornography and prostitution and recommend appropriate remedial measures.

Well known for her outstanding contribution in the field of child development and education, Ms Sinha is the founder Secretary Trustee of Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya (MV) Foundation, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh and has been involved in programmes for elimination of child labour through universalisation of elementary education in state.

Her present focus is on girl child and children engaged in bonded labour in partnership with government teachers, women's groups, youth associations, local bodies and NGOs.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, is a statutory body, notified under an act of Parliament on December 29 last year to ensure proper enforcement of children's rights and effective implementation of laws and programmes relating to them. Beside the chairperson, the Commission will have six members. The members would comprise experts in the field of child health, education, child care and development, juvenile justice, children with disabilities, elimination of child labour, child psychology or sociology and laws relating to children.

The Commission, which would have its headquarter in New Delhi, would examine and review the safeguards provided by or under the Constitution or any law for the time being in force for the protection of child rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation. The Commission would present to the Central Government, annually and at such other intervals, as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards.

It would look into the matters relating to children in need of special care and protection including children in distress, marginalised and disadvantaged children, children in conflict with law, juveniles, children without family and children of prisoners and recommend appropriate remedial measures.

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