Berhampur City level children's federation demanded Child friendly components in Urban development Schemes

Berhampur City level children’s federation organized its 15th federation meeting at Ganjam Kalaparishad, Berhampur on 6th September 2015. In this meeting they focused about government run development schemes. 

There are many schemes running through urban government. Both central and state governments implementing different schemes but while planning they are not focusing children as also a beneficiary. The drains are open as a result children are getting physical harm, water supply also creating hurdles for timely school going, transport system also not covered all the areas so it is time consuming as well as increasing financial expenditure, street light, children’s park, housing also creating obstacle more on mental growth. Always fearing for eviction and security putting pressure to safe and healthy living conditions. 

Children’s federation members get together to discuss the components like water, sanitation (garbage clearance, drainage and public toilets), housing, transport, electricity and public parks issues. In this consultation children discussed about the issues and impacts on physical and mental growth, after that came out with suggestions. They demanded Children’s helpdesk (use of ICT), Efficient delivery of children’s services (birth certificate, enrol in AWC and school etc.), Ensure children’s participation in plan, execution and monitoring, covered drain in all urban setups, Pro children smart solutions with children’s participation, Water supply three times in a day for six hours with adequate pressure, 24x7 uninterrupted electricity supply to all households, Community dust bin with segregation at source facility, Access to public transport to all slums. Public transport with children friendly components (low base steps, reservation for children, child friendly bus stop etc.), Housing with all child friendly indicators, Access to internet in all government schools, Count children as an active beneficiary and ensure children’s participation in plan, execution and monitoring. Include children and fulfil their needs and aspirations, Green neighbourhood with free from contaminated soil and polluted air and Special safety for children with community policing facilities and regular police patrolling to slums.

In this meeting near about 150 children from 27 child clubs and 30 slums participated. Noted hear that the Youth for Social Development (YSD) a local non- government organization working with children and youth on issues related to local governance and public service delivery, has facilitated children’s federation to improve the living condition of young children living in urban poverty.

Children’s federation has been actively engaged with the local and state government to improve their living condition and make Berhampur a child friendly city, since January 2013Children’s federation members Sruti Kumari Sahu, Sibani Behera, Amit Das took actively participation. From Youth for Social Development Mr. Shashikant Das, Chandan Sahoo, Abhiram Kanhar, Sujata Bisoi, Srinivas Dora and Suchitra Rout facilitated the federation members.