IANS/Kolkata
Kolkata has more than 50,000 child labourers, of which 80% are underage girls, says an NGO.
“Their families often send them away to earn money but it is seen that they are actually trafficked to other states,” said Samapt Maity of the Jayaprakash Institute of Social Change, a leading non-governmental organisation involved in social research, training and advocacy campaigns.
Statistics reveal that of 12mn girls born in India, 1mn do not live to see their first birthday and every sixth girl child’s death is due to gender discrimination.
Besides trafficking, child marriage and child sexual abuse is a burning topic that needs to be addressed, according to sociologist Ruchira Goswami.
“There are so many laws pertaining to marriage, child marriage and harassment but they need to be put on a single platform. People are aware of the laws but they do not follow them,” she said.
Every member of the society needs to pitch in and do their bit to collectively fight violence against women and the girl child, social workers said at a seminar to commemorate ‘Saarc Girl Child Week’ in Kolkata.
“We cannot do all the work by ourselves. Violence against women and the girl child is rampant. We want every member of the society to help us out in their own way,” said Sanlaap executive director Indrani Sinha.