Infringement of Child Rights: Cross Country Experiences in South Asia with Special Reference to Sri Lanka

Abstract

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O ut o f unregistered global child births in 2007, nearly half is reported from South Asia. Out o f all young women in the world who got married before the age o f 18 years, half live in South Asia. Thirteen percent of all children in South Asia are engaged in labour. Trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse are other major child problems in the region. Child problems are interrelated. This study examines (a) the interrelation o f selected child problems, (b) addresses the infringement o f selected child rights and legal measures enforced to prohibit childproblems in South Asia. The study is based on secondary data regarding South Asian and other developing economies. The study reveals that unregistered births aggravate the problems of child marriage and child labour. Poverty is another reason for the prevalence of early marriages and child labour. In. comparison with other countries, theinfringement o f child rights in Sri Lanka is the lowest in the case of unregistered child births, child marriage and child labour. Sri Lanka has sometimes special laws regarding child rights. The study finds that with regard to some issues, certain countries have no laws. Marital rape in Bangladesh and registration o f births in Bhutan can be stated as examples. Some countries have such laws, but other issues such as cultural and traditional opinions and religious views do not allow general laws to be enforced. Sometimes law is not sufficient to provide or ensure adequate security. Punishment in families and in schools in India and punishment in schools in Maldives can be stated as examples. All in all, it is healthy for South Asian countries to form a forum to get together and review their individual experiences and problems on child issues.