Transcript Himachal FORCES : Plan of Action 2012-13

The Young Child in Himachal
Pradesh
Richa, Member Secretary
JAN ABHIYAN SANSTHA
FORCES: Plan of Action 201213
Himachal Pradesh: Introduction
The state has a population of 6.1 million, of which
only 10 percent live in urban areas. The
population density is 109 per square kilometers,
compared to India’s 324.
The rural peripheries in a few areas are gradually
expanding as colonies for those displaced due to
development projects.
As also migrant colonies have emerged in urban
areas
where
migrant
labour
from
Nepal/Jharkhand/Bihar/Rajasthan live.
Himachal Pradesh: Advantages
• Himachal is mainly an agricultural state and the
labour participation rates of females in agriculture is
higher than 40 %. Women enjoy a good status.
• Himachal has made a revolution in primary
education with 100% enrolment and education for
the girl child has been made free in the state at all
levels.
• The enrolment of girls and SC/ST children has been
high in the Government schools. However there is a
growing tendency to admit boys in private schools.
• Relative share of Government expenditure in
medical and public health remained constant at
around 6 per cent in Himachal Pradesh compared to
Punjab and Haryana where it has been constantly
declining
Disadvantages
A. Development Induced Displacement in Himachal Pradesh
• Development as it is happening is undermining the
interdependence among communities (which constituted the
basis for peaceful co-existence). It is increasing the
penetration of market norms.
• A number of hydro power projects and cement plants have
come up or are being planned in the Sutlej, Beas and Yamuna
basin. This in disregard of the fact that agricultural
communities have been flourishing in these valleys over
centuries. These river basins are also subject to frequent
landslides which can dam flows in the river. Failure of the
dams can be catastrophic, e.g.; floods that occurred in 2005
in the Sutlej river basin.
• Also many industrial areas have been planned in the state
such as the Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh area in solan district
resulting in much loss of livelihoods.
• In Himachal the social and economic effects of displacement
will be severe. Children are discovering camp life, with all its
difficulties. In many cases, families have been split up
Himachal Pradesh: Background
• The situation with respect to Juvenile
Sex-Ratio in Himachal Pradesh during
the period 1971 to 2001 reveals a
decreasing trend is observed not only in
the sex-ratio but also in the rural/urban
differentials. After 1971 census not even a
single census, and district has shown the
sex-ratio in favour of females.
Issues related to Anganwadi
workers/ICDS Centres
• Issues related to dignity
– Appointment related issues
• Infrastructure related problems
• Remoteness related problems
Loss of Agricultural Diversity
• Cropping patterns have changed much. In Kinnaur
earlier buckwheat (ogla, phafra) was cultivated to a
large extent, the main crops cultivated now are
rajmah and apple. This reflects the trend towards
commercialization of agriculture and a reduction in
crop diversity.
• Chilgoza and chuli forests in Kinnaur are either lost
to hydro power projects or replaced by apple
plantations. Apple has moved closer to heights
where it was not possible earlier (Chitkul). As also
Precipitation has been witnessed in the form of rain
where it was always snow.
Case of Migrant Labour from Jharkhand, Bihar,
Rajasthan and Nepal
• Migrant workers contracts vary from one to five years.
The women and older children (14+ mostly) also work 78 hours every day, breaking stones and transferring
material over short distances. There are among women
pregnant women and women with young children.
• The women mostly give birth in the temporary migrant
colony itself with help from other women. However they
see private doctors or went to government hospitals later
for themselves or the child.
• They have to spend a lot of money earned from the
migrant activity for their health care. Women stay away
from work only when their young child is not keeping
well.
• Government officials show unwillingness and apathy
saying it is the dispersal of migrant children across
habitation that makes it difficult to provide education and
health care for them.
Other Constraints in Himachal
Pradesh
• Teacher absenteeism in schools is high.
• HP has achieved successfully near universal
enrolment and retention, but there is a lot to be
desired in terms of quality.
• Part of the population living in remote areas as
well as migrant labour’s children are still not
getting/or being able to avail the benefits of the
centrally aided scheme ICDS.
PLAN OF ACTION
Advocacy with State Government
• JAS (FORCES NGO partner/convenor in
Himachal) will continue engaging with the State
Government to improve rehabilitation for those
displaced due to development projects so that
the impact is lessened for children who are
currently living in camps and new colonies.
• JAS will be conducting advocacy to ensure that
in fulfillment of the Supreme Court ruling
Anganwadi services are provided to children of
migrant labour and in colonies where the
displaced live.
State and district level
Consultations/Seminars
• JAS proposes a state level consultation in
Shimla and three district level
consultations in Mandi, Kullu and Solan in
the first year.
• The participants will include
representatives of Panchayati Raj
Institutions, NGOs, CBOs, State
government representatives, parents, etc.
ACTION PLAN
• Meetings and advocacy with State
Government Representatives, Networks,
NGOs, CBOs, PRIs, community members
about the impact of development projects
and child issues in project affected areas.
This will provide useful inputs for areas in proximity
with Hydropower/Mining/Industrial Projects in
Simla , Solan, Kullu districts regarding:
what the parents/villagers think of issues such
as child health, nutrition, care, protection.
Contd.
• people’s impressions/views regarding how
anganwadi centres are operating in their area
and to assess their willingness/need for
anganwadis to be integrated with crèches
• Situation of mothers in project area and
rehabilitation colonies whether any health check
ups are taking place
• If no/no satisfactory anganwadi exists mobilizing
people to demand Anganwadi services
Outcome
• A document which will be a strong basis for
lobbying with the government regarding overall
rights of the young child and for getting
incorporated issues of the young child in
rehabilitation policies for atleast 2 project
affected sites.
• Atleast six project affected societies will be
empowered to demand crèche services in
anganwadi centres /or anganwadi on demand if
it does not exist to ensure better overall services
for children and mothers
Advocacy with the state government
concerning the issues of children of migrant
labour in construction sites in Shimla, Solan,
Kullu
• Dialogues with State Government and other
Networks
• Discussions with Contractors regarding
providing space and funds for day care facilities
for young children at the site
• Discussions with parents of young children
living in migrant labour sites to mobilize them to
demand services
Outcome/Expected Impact
• Atleast three construction sites will have
efforts ongoing for setting up crèches
• A Model crèche will be set up in a
construction site
THANK YOU