Children, it seems have never been on the priority list of the state government. No wonder that when other states have had a Commission for children for years Uttar Pradesh still does not have a Commission for the Protection of Child Rights. It is also often observed that important functionary; including ministers of concerned department always avoid attending children-centric functions. It is never a clear cut no, just a last-minute absence with some lame excuse.

The most conspicuous absentee was the UP Minister of Employment and Labor Badshah Singh at one of the most important function organized on International Child Labor Day in the state capital on June 12. Singh, who was the chief guest at a jointly organized seminar missed by the UP government and UNICEF, missed the golden opportunity of being part of a drive that aimed at improving the lot of those unfortunate children who live below the poverty line. He did not even realize that his presence would have added so much weight to the seminar and also on the lives of those children who are forced to live a life of misery and want, just because they have to earn a few rupees for their families’ daily needs.

The message was clear and simple. The government never cares simply because children are not voters. The same minister would never have done this had it been a seminar on laborers and where he could have reiterated the government commitment to 'serve its people.' After all the assembly elections are round the corner and wooing voters is the top agenda of the government.

Not that the absence of the minister did in any way dampen the enthusiasm of other UP government officials, led by labor commissioner S.R. Meena, UNICEF representatives including Ms. Adele Khudr, chief field officer, UNICEF, Uttar Pradesh. Last but not the least the enthusiasm of the 100-odd children from Uttar Pradesh’s labor department’s special child labor schools from five districts of Uttar Pradesh — Lucknow, Kanpur, Moradabad, Rai Bareily and Hardoi, who had traveled all the way to Lucknow to participate in the seminar, was envious. The state labor department runs such schools in 43 districts in the state.

Speakers at the seminar at Paryatan Bhawan, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, stressed on the urgent need to ensure that all good governmental schemes of both the state and central government were properly implemented to ensure good results. It was said that proper and total access to education for all children, irrespective of their social status, was a sure weapon of arresting child labor in the state.

"UP contributes to about 20 percent of the country’s total child labor force. Though both the central and the state government have a policy objective of eradication of child labor, the progress is slow. Steps must be taken to speed up things so that the goal of making the state child labor free is realized," said Khudr.

She said that while poverty and lack of income of poor families was one of the major reasons that came in the way of wiping out child labor, absence of social protection schemes and safety nets, and poor quality of education not relevant to the children and their families were also responsible for the growing child labor rate in the state.

Khudr called upon the state government to accelerate the creation of the State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights. This she said would provide the proper policy framework for child protection. Khudr also urged for better coordination between the various state departments to ensure smooth and quicker redressal of issues.

"Children are the best advocates for change; they are the champions of child rights and gender rights. They are the source of energy and potential for the ongoing struggle for a UP fit for children. They are the bearers of UP’s future, so let us give them the windows of opportunity that they deserve," said Khudr.

Meena reiterated the government’s commitment to work toward creating a child labor-free state.

The theater by children, prepared by Yayavar group, depicted the children as victim in an adult-ruled society. It was much appreciated.

"The idea was to give children the centerstage so that they could bring about their problems," said Rajib Ghoshal, Child Protection, and UNICEF.

A photo exhibition titled '… still working' showing children doing various kind of jobs from driving rickshaws to working at a mutton shop spoke volume for the exploitation of children was also organized at the same venue. The media photo exhibition, organized by Media Nest, a forum of journalists that works for the welfare of journalists and their families, saw entries from several photographers like N. Prithvi Kumar and Manoj Aligarhi. Students of Amity mass communication, Lucknow displayed 100 odd frames of black and white photographs showing children at work.