The Status of Security, Health and Education among Children Living in Child Care Institutions in Delhi

Abstract

Child population in India is estimated to be 472 million which is 39% of the country’s total population1. According to United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (abbreviated as UNCRC) a child is a person who has not attained 18 years of age. A high quantity of children needs care and protection and who are conflict with law2 are placed in institutional care both in long term and short term care depending on the identified need of the child. India’s population of orphaned and destitute children is projected to be 20 million3. Children who are in institutional care needs proper rehabilitation and integration programme which addresses their needs and challenges they face. As per the standardized norms under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2015; the institutions offers the basic requirement to children such as food, safe shelter, appropriate clothing, medical facility and other suitable aids. The present research study is an attempt to examine the status of health, security and education of children residing in child care institutions in Delhi.