Emphasising the need for political leaders and people in power to 'put children first', NGO CRY today launched its nationwide 'Vote for Child Rights' poll advocacy campaign aimed at the 2014 general elections.
"This campaign is our way of ensuring there is political will behind the demand for protecting child rights. The best interests of the child should be at the centre of all policy and legislative practice... The 'Vote for Child Rights' campaign focuses on that solely," said Puja Marwaha, CEO, CRY.
On the occasion, CRY, or Child Rights and You, also unveiled its child rights manifesto which calls for all political parties to give top priority to children.
"This is to remind politicians and the government that it is their obligation to undertake all measures towards protecting and promoting child rights," said Vijayalakshmi Aror, CRY Director for Policy and Advocacy.
The campaign also calls for action to express zero tolerance towards violation of child rights.
The CRY manifesto centres around 10 suggestions revolving around such demands as, among others, harmonising the age definition for all child-related legislation, ensuring the implementation and expansion of the scope of right to education, strengthening the implementation of Integrated Child Development Services, reducing child mortality and declaring access to quality primary healthcare as a fundamental right.
