SATURDAY, MAY 04, 2024
Ajit John
Today as we celebrate the National Panchayati Raj Day with zeal and fervour it would make a lot of sense to take a look at the Bal Sabha in operation in the State. The Bal Sabha serves as a democratic platform empowering children to voice their concerns, ideas, and suggestions directly to local governing bodies. It is a step towards inclusive governance that recognizes children as important stakeholders in the community.
Gregory D’Souza from Siolim who is involved in the conduct of Bal Sabha said it was important for every panchayat to have a child committee. He said it would consist of 9 members which would include a teacher, a social worker, two students under fourteen, health workers, anganwadi teacher and one ward member. He said in Siolim they had done it with it starting in 2022. The Bal Sabha he said would get financial support from the panchayat. He said the financial grant of Rs 10,000 had not been given the money from the women and child department since the end of Covid. The Bal Sabha would be conducted once a year. There was a list of activities which were conducted with the school in the area. Activities like road safety, children safety, health programs which included dental clinics were conducted. He said they would also felicitate the SSC and HSC toppers with the panchayat. This was done in Siolim on August 15. The Village child committee he said had tied up with the Goa Football Development Council and conducted grassroot training throughout the year for students between the age of 6 to 13 years. Around 60 students participated. There were also other competitions that centered around Christmas and Diwali. They were now conducting the summer camp. They had recently celebrated World Heritage Day. They also organised a cycle trek to the ferry point in Siolim. Every Saturday a program was organised. To illustrate the popularity of their football camp, they recently participated in the FC Goa Little Gaur tournament. In the u 8 they were runner up in Guirim though they emerged as champions in the same category in Tuem. In the u 10 and u 12 category they were runner ups. emerged as champions. He said the Bal Sabha gave an opportunity to children to discuss issues with the panchayat members. Issues that mattered to the children and that could affect the surrounding area. Under the gram panchayat development plan, children are entitled to learn about them. Recently a girl child program was organised in two schools with the NGO Zinda Goa which is with the Adiya Birla Education foundation. This was for the girl child and addressed menstruation and hygiene. The foundation sponsored the sanitary pads. It is obvious these Bal Sabhas are doing a great job but it depends on the Chairperson. Gregory said if the Chairperson was interested in children then he or she would take the necessary steps to set up the Bal Sabha. If they were not bothered then they would be non functional. According to him Siolim and Moira were examples of a panchayat that had the Bal Sabha.
Another individual who is doing his best to ensure the children in the State get what they are entitled to is Peter Borges who Heads the Goa State Commission for Protection of Children's Rights. In a statement he said, “As we commemorate National Panchayati Raj Day, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) raises a critical concern regarding the neglect of child protection by grassroots entities. Despite being the backbone of local governance, many Panchayats have unfortunately overlooked the imperative of safeguarding our children's rights. Child participation is not just a privilege but a fundamental right enshrined in international conventions and our national laws. It is imperative that all Panchayats rise to the occasion and establish a robust ecosystem that fosters children's active involvement in decisions that affect them”. He went on to say that as everyone celebrates the vital role of Panchayats in the community, it was important to not forget that most vulnerable stakeholders: the children. Child protection, he said should be at the forefront of Panchayat agendas. It's not just about policies; it's about creating environments where children feel safe, heard, and empowered to shape their futures. He additionally said, “We emphasize the urgent need for Panchayats to allocate budgets specifically for child protection and welfare initiatives. Adequate financial resources are essential to address the multifaceted challenges faced by children at the local level effectively. By earmarking funds for child protection, Panchayats can proactively tackle issues such as child abuse, neglect, and lack of access to education and healthcare services within their communities. We urge all Panchayats to prioritize child protection initiatives, establish child-friendly mechanisms, and ensure that children's voices are heard and valued in local decision-making processes”.
He was the author of the guidelines that established the Bal Sabhas in the State. In the document it was recommended that each Panchayat/Municipality conducts at least two Bal Gram Sabhas per year, adhering to the guidelines provided in the document. This initiative was aimed at strengthening the child protection system at the grassroots level, ensuring that children's voices lead to actionable insights and improvements in their living conditions and rights. By focusing on the four cardinal rights of children—right to survival, right to development, right to protection, and right to participation this document outlines a robust, actionable framework for the establishment and effective functioning of Bal Gram/ Municipal Sabhas. This guide offers a comprehensive approach to organizing and conducting Bal Gram/ Municipal Sabha meetings, focusing on actionable steps and the involvement of the entire community in safeguarding and promoting the rights of children. Through detailed planning, execution, and follow-up, these meetings can significantly contribute to the welfare and development of children in the village/municipality, ensuring their rights are upheld and their voices heard.
The establishment of Bal Gram/Municipal Sabha is a progressive step towards building a more inclusive and participatory form of governance. By empowering children to contribute their views and suggestions, communities can ensure that the development agenda reflects the needs and aspirations of all its members, including the youngest. This initiative not only benefits the children in the present but also prepares them to be responsible and active citizens in the future.
One can only hope this interesting initiative catches on all over the State because that would only mean a stronger democracy and better citizens for a better tomorrow.
