HAQ: Centre for Child Rights

The NCRB 2023 data reports a 9.2% increase in crimes against children, with over 1.77 lakh cases registered last year. The most common offences include kidnapping, abduction, and sexual offences under POCSO, which together account for over 83% of cases. Children accounted for just 0.5% of the total 6.24L cognisable crimes registered in India in 2023.
While the numbers highlight serious issues of child safety, they also underline the ongoing need for stronger protective measures, timely intervention, and effective enforcement. These statistics serve as a reminder—protecting children requires sustained collective effort and systemic change.

”Future strategies must prioritise climate resilience, equitable resource use, and environmentally responsible alternatives to ensure long-term sustainability.”

This was the key demand voiced by children, youth, and community representatives at a convergence meeting in Giridih, Jharkhand, organised by HAQ in collaboration with Abhivyakti Foundation. Participants called for the systematic phasing out of unsustainable practices and the integration of sustainable development principles into local governance and planning.

The meeting brought together District and Gram Panchayat level functionaries, creating a platform for meaningful dialogue. Members of the Jharkhand Youth Network also presented community-led initiatives such as seed-ball plantation drives and the promotion of leaf-based alternatives to plastic as replicable models for local climate action.

Discussions further highlighted the importance of aligning local interventions with global commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Youth voices matter. They must be acknowledged, heard, and respected.
When young people know their rights and have opportunities and platforms to claim their space, they are able to shape a better future.
HAQ strives to ensure every child grows into a youth free from fear, full of hope, and ready to speak up for change.