Dear Sir

My name is Medha Joshi and I am 1st year, Marwadi University student in the B.A
LL.B. program. In the semester break from January 1, 2020 to January 30, 2020, we
are required to do an internship at a NGO. The purpose is to develop our professional
identity and learn from being in the field with clients and supervisors.
I am interested in the joint initiative of the Police University and the UNICEF. Being
a law student, I look for an opportunity to practical implementation of child rights and
deepen my theoretical knowledge of child right issues. On ground reality there is
violation of numerous international standards of child rights and implementing them
in Indian context is challenging. Through this internship, I look forward to an
opportunity to learn advocacy, research, do campaigning, and understand operational
aspects of child rights. It would be a great platform to learn, understand and see the
implementation of child rights in action by working on various child rights issues
such as child labor, education, health, and other issues.
I am from Rajasthan and I have seen violation of child rights in the daily lives of
children here in form of child labor, child marriage, female feticides, caste atrocities
and even rape.
Hence, I am keenly interested in the internship opportunity available at your
esteemed organization.
Our faculty, Mr. ___ will be in touch, once I am considered a good fit for the
internship.
Attached is the copy of my resume and a write- up on child rights for your perusal.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Sincerely
Medha Joshi
CHILD RIGHTS

INTRODUCTION

Children are neither the property of their parents nor are they helpless objects of
charity. They are human beings and are the subject of their own rights.
The problem of violation of child rights is quite rampant in all parts of India. In spite
the enforcement of many, the problem still exists. The adverse effects of these
problems affect the growth, development, and progress of our nation. There are
millions of children, who are suffering from problems such as violence, poverty, lack
of primary healthcare facilities, lack of primary education, sexual abuse, and child
labour. Thousands of innocent children are subjected to forced trafficking every year
compelling them to live an undesirable life of suffering physical abuse and torture.

There are many social practices that involve gross and unlawful discrimination
against children, including gender discrimination and discrimination against children
with disabilities. Some are based on tradition and superstition, some on religious
belief, others on false information or beliefs about child development and health.
Many involve extreme physical violence and pain leading, in some cases
intentionally, to death or serious injury. Others involve mental violence. All are an
assault on the child’s human dignity and violate universally agreed international
human rights standards.

THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

India is signatory to The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
(UNCRC). It defines Child Rights as the minimum entitlements and freedoms that
should be afforded to every citizen below the age of 18 regardless of race, national
origin, colour, gender, language, religion, opinions, origin, wealth, birth status,
disability, or other characteristics.

These rights encompass freedom of children and their civil rights, family
environment, necessary healthcare and welfare, education, leisure and cultural
activities and special protection measures. The UNCRC outlines the fundamental
human rights that should be afforded to children in four broad classifications that
suitably cover all civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights of every child:
Right to Survival:
• Right to be born
• Right to minimum standards of food, shelter and clothing
• Right to live with dignity
• Right to health care, to safe drinking water, nutritious food, a clean and safe
environment, and information to help them stay healthy

Right to Protection:
• Right to be protected from all sorts of violence
• Right to be protected from neglect
• Right to be protected from physical and sexual abuse
• Right to be protected from dangerous drugs

Right to Participation:
• Right to freedom of opinion
• Right to freedom of expression
• Right to freedom of association
• Right to information
• Right to participate in any decision making that involves him/her directly or
indirectly

Right to Development:
• Right to education
• Right to learn
• Right to relax and play
• Right to all forms of development – emotional, mental and physical

PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS IN INDIA

In India, child protection involves keeping children safe from the risk of harm caused
by neglect, physical or sexual abuse. It aims at reducing children’s vulnerability in
assuring them necessary care, protection arid support to survive, develop and thrive.
In its simplest form, child protection addresses every child: right not to be subjected
to harm. India has recognized the right to protection for its children through
constitutional commitments and laws, policies and programs it has put in place over
the years. It has recognized that some children are in ‘especially difficult
circumstances.
Still, the goal to protect the child rights is far beyond our reach. In India, not only
millions of children below the age of 14 are working in factories, shops, glass-
blowing industry, workshops, etc, they are forced to work in the most unhygienic
work conditions.

There are many children who are abandoned. They do not get a chance to step in a
school. They are left to fend for themselves on the streets. They suffer from many
forms of violence. They do not have access to even primary healthcare. They are
subjected to cruel and inhumane treatments every day.

Childhood in India is not homogeneous; several childhood coexist. Social and

economic status, physical and mental ability, geographical location and other
differences determine the degree of vulnerability of inequality between various
sections of society. The child in India is discriminated against by virtue of these
inequalities. Thus, all children in India suffer certain violation on account of their
status as a child.
CONCLUSION
Though a noteworthy progress has been achieved, yet, there is still a long way to go
in realizing the rights of children. Though all the relevant rules and policies are in
place, there is a lack in enforcement initiatives. As barriers, there are several factors
that forbid effective implementation of the laws. Due to relatively low success in
achieving concrete child development outcomes in India, the condition of
underprivileged kids and underprivileged youth is harsh and needs urgent attention.
There is a need to intensify efforts for children welfare at all levels to implement the
rules and provisions of the Convention and contribute to create a world suitable for
children.

INTERNSHIP GOALS
I would be honored to be a part of the joint project of the Police University and the
UNICEF. The major objective of UNICEF aligns with my internship objectives, as
UNICEF works to protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse against
children - including commercial, sexual exploitation, trafficking, child labor and
harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation and child marriage. I
was happy to learn that UNICEF’s child protection programs also target children who
are uniquely vulnerable to these abuses, such as when living without parental care, in
conflict with the law and in armed conflict.
Being part of the joint project of the Police University and the UNICEF will not only
be a great learning opportunity but also an opportunity to contribute to the cause of
the society and work at the grass root level for child rights.