Manifestos of political parties have ignored children, says World Vision

As children below the age of 18 do not form a vote bank, manifestos of political parties have ignored them, says one of world's largest Christian relief and development organisation.

World Vision, which primarily works among children in India, released the 'Children's Manifesto' as an alternative to address the demands and rights of children who form the most vulnerable sections of the society.

India is home to 400 million children, the largest number in any country in the world. Also one third of the world's children living in poverty are in India.

The international non-governmental organisation says children below 18 constitutes nearly 41 per cent of this country and despite various efforts have been ignored by the manifestos of major political parties in India.

Last year, a similar initiative saw thousands of children across the country under the banner of Rashtriya Bal Adhikar Sabha facilitated by World Vision, forming a manifesto addressing the needs of the children.

This year the manifesto has demanded the allocation of 25 per cent of the national budget for child well-being programmes. In addition, it has called on the government to ensure every child is born safe, healthy and provided free and compulsory education. It also asked for a fully equipped hospital and school in every village.

Dr Jayakumar Christian, national director of World Vision India, in an open letter to voters across the country, said, "When casting your vote, select a candidate or a party that reflects the thinking of children... Check the manifesto and ask people who are coming to canvas for votes if these issues are relevant to them before you make a decision."

"If you are a child below the age of three there is a 50 per cent chance that you are malnourished. If you survive this age, and somehow get into school there is a 30 per cent chance that you will drop out of school. There is a 41 per cent chance that you will be sexually abused or molested, most probably by a close family member or friend," the letter added.

The letter criticised India for doing little and failing in its commitment after signing the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child in 1992.

Children in India are victims of child labour, child trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation and many other forms of violence and abuse. India has the largest number of child labourers under the age of 14 in the world. Incidentally, over 45,000 children go missing each year.