PANJIM: Civil society groups and experts, working on the rights of child and child protection, have expressed their disappointment over non-cooperative attitude by successive governments in ensuring effective implementation of Goa Children’s Act, 2003.
A half-day discussion hosted by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) on Saturday saw several stakeholders lamenting the absence of a ‘plan of action’ and lack of awareness among school students on unwanted gestures/touch.
“The Act has completed 15 years but the State has till date no plan of action for its effective implementation. No financial provisions are made so that infrastructure could be put in place,” Commission’s Chairperson Sushma Kirtani said during a round-table discussion with stakeholders to put up a proposal for the amendment of Goa Children’s Act 2003 and Rules 2004.
The Act was the first legislation in India that recognised exploitation of children in tourism and deals with the protection of children from various forms of exploitation. Kirtani said the object of the Act is to protect, promote and preserve the best interests of children in Goa. “The ultimate aim is to create a society that is proud to be child friendly,” she added as she spoke at length on the subject.
The discussion also revolved around how the Act influenced several other States to contemplate creating legislation for the protection of children while interestingly, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012 has glimpses of the Goa Act. With offenders, booked for crimes against juveniles also being booked under POSCO Act, the experts suggested synchronising all the Acts. “There are contradictions in view of both Central and local law being invoked against the accused. A synchrony of all Acts will put an end to confusion such as age of a child,” said another.
Children’s Court president Vandana Tendulkar, who was also a part of the discussion, suggested two courts in North and South Goa. She also suggested child-friendly courts to ensure the victim and accused do not encounter each other, and disabled friendly courts. Currently, the lone Goa Children’s Court has jurisdiction across the State.
Proper infrastructure and sufficient staff for the court, full time counselors for students, proper awareness on corporal punishment and creation of Tourism Code as prescribed in the Act were amongst many points discussed by the panelists that included former advocate general of Goa Saresh Lotlikar, public prosecutor Milena Pinto, advocate Albertina Almeida among others. The suggestions will once again be placed before the government, Kirtani said.
An overview of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003 shows that the Act covers issues like the rights of children, education, health and nutrition, children’s homes, child labour, child abuse, child sexual trafficking, children in different circumstances, girl child, differently-abled children, exploitation of children in tourism, violations and penalties while the Children’s Court aims to make the process of law and justice child friendly. The Act also attempts to place responsibility on different sections of the society and its institutions to play a role in protecting all children and in preventing the abuse of any child.
