More than 100 child reporters are changing the district of Firozabad with their words and actions. Sita* is unlike an ordinary 5th-class girl from a little slum in the Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh (UP).
Just 11-years-old, she has stopped the child marriage of her friend, Pooja*, along with other friends. “While attending a reporters’ meeting at the Bal Samooh, children’s collective, I heard that Pooja was getting married soon. She is only 11 years old! So, all of us tried reasoning with Pooja’s mother that she is very young to get married and that her studies are essential. When she wouldn’t listen to us, we called ChildLine 1098.”
Soon, the officials came and spoke to Pooja’s mother; only then she finally called off Pooja’s wedding,” recalls Sita. Thanks to Sita’s courage, Pooja gets to live her childhood and attend school. Unfortunately, according to UNICEF, more than 15 million child brides in India aren’t as lucky.
But Sita is not alone. There are 119 other brave and motivated boys and girls just like her, ready to step up, speak out and take action to improve the state of child rights in the Firozabad district.
Since late January, ChildFund India and Saarthi, the local partner in Firozabad, have conducted over seven 3-day “How to be a child reporter” training for the 120 selected children, aged between 7-14 years; coming from 30 slums of Firozabad district, UP. For a long time, adults have taken the onus of communicating with the public about child protection policies, issues and knowledge, without including the children’s voices in these discussions.
Through the training, the goal was to encourage children to express their thoughts and observations, equip them with an understanding of child rights, and participate in decision-making for matters that concern them directly or indirectly.
Through a combination of play and knowledge, the children were introduced to the basics of how to write a report, identify child rights issues, and the relevant laws and mechanisms related to child protection issues.
Most essentially, the training prepared them to identify the existing gaps between their rights and their reality; and bridge the gap by taking the appropriate steps – either through words or with action.
Eight months after the training, children have reported having some encouraging changes; they feel more empowered, have improved communication skills, are aware of their rights and are determined to be proactive towards societal changes.
For example, before schools shut down due to the pandemic, they reported on issues in their schools such as low attendance, non-availability of water, toilets and sanitation facilities; and post-closure of schools, they continued informing about community issues such as availability of community facilities, child marriage, child labour, domestic violence, etc. These reports are cathartic as they are often mirrors of their own lives, which helps the ChildFund India staff provide support, consultation, and intervention when deemed necessary.
Between January and September, the child reporters reported more than 250 stories focusing on the challenges faced by their friends, families and communities. They reported on food security, education, and preventive practices like wearing masks and handwashing.
Their reports have culminated into ‘Balvani – The Voice of Children’; with the support of ChildFund India. The reporters have distributed over 200 copies to principals, key government officials and authorities, including the Firozabad Mayor, Nutan Rathore, and related committees, MLAs, ward councillors, parents and several collectives.
Today, these children have become agents of change – well equipped with knowledge about their rights, related government officials and communication skills and knowledge.
In addition, they are proactively seeking to engage with their peers, adults, and local authorities to change conditions that affect their rights – individually and collectively – for a safe and healthy childhood for children that would help them become responsible and informed citizens of their community and the country at large.
This continuous involvement of children in their community is a great example of child-led advocacy. It shows that children are increasingly becoming the catalyst of change and building a society that promotes and respects children’s rights.