India is known as the land of villages, but are all these villages really and completely child-friendly? The real picture is not reflective of an idyllic rural environment. In most of the villages, children are used as a medium to earn for the family - they toil in farms, in family-run enterprises and at home. In the course of earning their daily bread, these children lose their childhood.
In an attempt to save childhood, and empower children, Nobel Peace Laureate Mr Kailash Satyarthi launched a first-of-its-kind initiative - Bal Mitra Gram (BMG), or child-friendly village on January 14, 2001. The first BMG was established in Papdi village by him. As a social movement geared towards creating an empowered ecosystem in villages where the rights of children are protected, BMGs were initiated as a platform to recognise and nurture the leadership potential in children, implemented by Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation. Children participate actively in the decision-making process through Bal Panchayats (Children's Parliament) which is a powerful platform of leadership in action and also have an active voice in the Gram Panchayats (Village Parliament).
Issues that beset children like child marriage, child trafficking, child labour, lack of quality education and health malnourishment are tackled in BMGs.
Impact
The US Department of Labour and Global Development Network had awarded BMGs as Best Practice Model in 2012. At least 540 BMGs are functional in India, while the social movement has also transcended borders with 500 having been scaled in Nepal and 40 in Uganda.
The model has prevented migration of thousands of child labourers to metropolitan cities and has been instrumental in initiating a social and educational upsurge in rural India. Deprived children have now become change makers of their societies and regions, and are helping others to overcome their stigmatised past.
On the 19th anniversary of Bal Mitra Gram, their efforts have led to the withdrawal of over 10,500 children from child labour and retention of over 50,000 children in schools. Bal Panchayats (Children’s Parliament) which works in coordination with Village Gram Panchayats have been able to pressurise authorities to build roads, school buildings, expedite rural development and appoint hundreds of teachers besides fighting corruption and social menaces like sexual exploitation, caste discrimination, child marriage and labor. The Bal Panchayats in these BMGs have been able to facilitate building of 14 schools, renovate 40 school buildings and upgrade 70 schools from primary to secondary. Adding to the list, BMG has also led the appointment of 100 regular teachers and a smooth supply of blackboard and other material in 240 schools. The rural movement which has successfully reached out to over 6.55 lakh children has catalysed social leaders like Champa and Lalita Duhariya.