Why are Children Vulnerable? Children are vulnerable because childhood is a period of rapid development in all domains, and development in one area influences development in all others. In order for the child to grow optimally in all areas, it is important that the child’s needs for food, shelter, health care, love, nurturance and stimulation be met in a holistic manner. Adverse experiences can have a lasting impact on the child’s development.
All children are vulnerable, but some are more vulnerable than others. These are the children who are living in such challenging conditions and difficult circumstances that their basic needs of food, health, care and nurturance are not met and this prevents them from developing their full potential. Box given below clearly highlights that the needs of a large proportion of child population are not met. Nearly two–thirds of children under five years of age suffer from moderate or severe malnutrition.
Malnutrition affects development in all areas. About million children live on the streets without any shelter. Only one in three children of the pre-school age has the opportunity to be in an early learning programme. Less than half of India’s children between ages and years go to school.
A little over one-third of all children who enrol in Standard I reach Standard VIII. The others drop out of school for one or the other reason. million children in India work, as per official estimates. The actual numbers may be even more.
According to the World Bank the number may be million. All children in difficult circumstances need care and protection but some may violate the law or be involved in anti-social activities. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, is the first legal framework for juvenile justice in India. The Act concerns itself with two categories of children: those who are “in conflict with law” and those considered to be “in need of care and protection.” Children “in conflict with law” (also called juvenile delinquents) are those who have been caught by the police for violating the Indian penal