Mukesh Sharma

Kalimpong,12th June:

Globally on 12th June, World’s Day against Child Labor is observed by the Government Departments & by the organizations working on the issue of child labor. This year the program was themed as “No to Child Labor, Yes to Quality Education” as set by the International Labor Organization, who particularly focuses on the importance of quality education which is believed as a key step in stopping child labor.

Since the year 2006, Bal Suraksha Abhiyan Trust (BSA) has been campaigning on the rights of children, especially on child laborers. Since its intervention to understand the status of child laborers in Kalimpong, permission was sought from Kalimpong Municipality to conduct rapid surveys. A two days quick survey was conducted by the staffs of BSA & members from Himalayan Blood Donors Society in three of the Wards (1, 2 & 3) under Kalimpong Municipality. The survey covered a total of 674 households. Based on the survey findings, only 5 children between the age group of 14 – 18 were identified.

The following report has already been submitted to Kalimpong Municipality. Bal Suraksha Abhiyan Trust (BSA) in special collaboration with the Kalimpong Municipality & Darjeeling District Child Rights NGO Network (DDCRN) today observed World Day against Child Labour in a unique way. BSA also declared Kalimpong Municipality ward no 1 as “Child Labour Free Zone” today.

The Vice Chairperson of Kalimpong Municipality Zion Lepcha was present as the guest who proudly declared Ward- 1,2 and 3  as a Child labor free ward.

Meanwhile seeing the increasing number of cases related to children in Kalimpong a Child friendly Police station in Kalimpong was inaugurated by DSP Darjeeling HQ Chandra Bahadur Subba . Many children who are victims of child abuses are not comfortable with the surroundings of PS as they hid their feelings, said a source, therefore, seeing a need for a space where they can comfortably express themselves in a Police Station the Child Friendly Room was provided by Kalimpong Police station which was turned into Child Friendly Room by BSA.

Such Child Friendly Room in Kalimpong Police Station have been designed and decorated in a Child Friendly manner, where the child and his / her family would feel safe and comfortable while interacting with the police. It can also be a drop-in-center with assistance for counseling and case management for children. The criteria for a Child Friendly Space at the Police Station such as Necessary furniture, a Sign board bearing the name Child friendly Police Station, Series of posters and signboards providing information about juvenile justice and laws formulated to protect children from atrocities, Telephone numbers of the District Child Protection Unit Darjeeling, members of the District Child Welfare Committee members and Juvenile Justice Board have been provided in the room. Sister Subeshna Thapa Director of BSA said that in creating the Child Friendly Spaces, children feel more at ease to express their problems openly to the concerned officers.