GUWAHATI: Around 500 girls from Assam, between the ages of 14 to 19 years have prepared a ‘Children’s Agenda’ that focuses on health, nutrition, education, sanitation, hygiene, water and protection of children ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Based on reports, this agenda was prepared under the guidance of UNICEF, Assam and Adolescent and Children Rights Network, Assam (ACRNA), a forum of 21 NGOs that works for children in Assam.
This group of girls have approached different leaders from various political parties of the state to include their concerns in the election manifesto.
One of the main concerns of this group is regarding whether the disaster-prone areas in Assam have been given priority.
Chiranjib Kakoty of ACRNA was quoted in the report that said that these children voiced their concerns regarding flood-resilient infrastructure, especially schools because apart from erosion, the main issue was flooding as these children are not able to attend schools as they remain inaccessible. Schools are most often submerged or are turned into relief camps for giving shelter to flood-hit people.
In addition to this, the children also questioned the availability of safe drinking water during the floods and lack of proper toilets, particularly for girls and women.
These girls have handed copies of their agenda and discussed their concerns with members from five political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Congress.
