Stories of freedom make a complete newspaper
“Next time call me as a reporter,” he joked, remembering his years in the profession when he brought out the journal Sangharsh Jari Rahega
Children’s rights activist and Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi had the air of an editor as he walked into the KT newsroom on Thursday. It was to be a guest role but he was soon the star as he held forth on his work for peace. Satyarthi ran a journal before taking the lead to save thousands of children in India from slavery and abuse.
At the editorial meeting, where he starred as the Guest Editor, Satyarthi had a message of compassion, which is reflected in his choice of stories for our Friday edition. He was humble, yet spelt hope, firm in the belief that a better world awaits youth who are keen to make a contribution to humanity.
He chose a report on child marriages and suggested some background be added. “With more conflicts, child marriages have increased but I know of several cases where girls were saved from being married off early,’’ he said as he gave the nod to run the copy. Another pick was a story on kids being at the receiving end of water scarcity. “Timely report, as water day was celebrated yesterday,” he said.
Apart from focusing on news that matters, he stuck to trending stories as well, endorsing the KT lead follow-up on London terror. But his message was clear: please don’t take your eyes off children and freedom.
The UAE is doing significant work and taking a lead in the region to protect child rights and promote happiness among children, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi told Khaleej Times during an exclusive interaction. “Wadheema law, passed by the government last year, is one of the strongest and best in the region for protecting the rights of children. People should be made aware of the law, especially children… I am particularly impressed to see the commitment shown by the governments here to work with communities and protect children from any abuse,” said Satyarthi, who has laboured for over three decades to save children from slavery and abuse in India and around the world.
Despite the advances made globally, many children are still languishing and do not have access to basic rights, such as education and good health. Wars, and climate change, in turn, have led to one of the worst humanitarian crises in history, displacing about half a billion children and adults. In times like these, girl children and young women often are the most vulnerable lot, pushed into prostitution, slavery, etc — industries that rip them of innocence and prospects of a better life.
“Creating awareness, implementing stronger policing, and stricter legal actions are key measures that can help the world fight the menace of child abuse and trafficking,” he says.
Satyarthi has impassionedly worked for this cause, and continues to do so. A Gandhian in his approach and candour, the 63-year-old New Delhi-based activist has been almost singlehandedly leading India’s fight against child slavery. He is credited with stirring debates and action on this issue. His grassroots nonprofit, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, or Save Childhood Movement, started in 1980, has protected innumer- ous children from various forms of exploitation, like child labour and child trafficking. Because of his efforts and of those like him, around one million children have been saved worldwide. In 2000, more than 246 million children were child labourers. The figure has now come down to about 168 million now. The number of children out of school, too, have halved from 130 million in 2000 to 60 million now.
In India, too, conditions are much better, he says. Data from government records reflects the improving state of affairs. Going forward, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao appeal of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to protect children and improve the lives of the underprivileged.
Arguably, Satyarthi’s biggest achievement has been to retain the world’s attention to the problem. He had organised the Global March Against Child Labour in the 1990s to raise awareness and free millions of children shackled in various forms of modern slavery. And today, at a time when armed groups like Daesh and Boko Haram openly advocate for the enslavement of women and children, Satyarthi calls for a more refined approach. “People listen more to faith leaders than probably what the UN says. So I think religious leaders should also be part of this campaign and raise their voice, and educate families and societies,” says Satyarthi.
Three-and-a-half decades is not a very long time in the history of slavery and civilisation. But in general, violence against children has been recognised on the global platform and in India, too, which is heartening, says the Nobel laureate.
His movements in India have resulted in landmark legislation in 2009 guaranteeing free, compulsory primary education. In 2012, the Indian government introduced a bill to ban all work by children under the age of 14. On the global platform, the United Nations has asked member states to take measures to “end child labour in all its forms” by 2025. Child education is one of the Sustainable Development Goals now, which might not have happened without the efforts of people like him.
UaE is showing great leadership. I was quite impressed at the government’s willingness to work with communities. It’s a very progressive approach. UaE should take the lead to protect children in the MENa region. In the year of giving, UaE should give the region leadership.
I’ve also been working with religious leaders across the world to speak out against child abuse because people listen to faith leaders... who should speak up rather than UN officers trying to do their best... We can’t control child abuse and trafficking through laws only.