This initiative, supported by the UN’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) office and the Panchayi Rajya Department of the Rajasthan State, is based on the principles of the ‘Child Rights Agreement’, which ensures active participation in the village level democracy.
The Bal Panchayat is a platform where children choose their children in a democratic way.
The first lesson of democracy
Bal Panchayats give children a practical experience of democratic processes – they democratically choose their children and members.
“This is a platform where we can talk to the elders about our needs and they listen to us seriously,” said Jahuta Village Panchayat.
Cleanliness, school facilities and social challenges are discussed in meetings and children’s proposals are kept directly in the Gram Panchayat.
Vasundhara with his grandmother.
In front of child marriage
Bhasundhara Sharma, a child member of the Dardi Village Panchayat, said that when he wanted to decide his marriage to his family at the age of 12, “I opposed Bal Panchayat and explained that it was harmful.”
Due to the initiative of Vasundhara, 50 girls marriages have still been stopped in the village. Children are raising awareness by sharing information like 1098 helpline and becoming helpful to bring about changes.
Kamala Kumar is the first daughter who entered a school far away from her village for higher education.
New way of education
“No girl in our village was able to study over the eighth because there was no school nearby. I first entered a distant school.”
With his inspiration, 21 children have been admitted to higher education, which proves that a voice can even encourage big changes.
Members of the Balasva, worship, stru tusrub are helping to publicly promote cleanliness.
Menstruation
Pooja Sharma, a member of the Dardi Panchayat, is breaking the silence on Tusrub. “I explain the importance of cleaning my sisters and say that this is a common process,” she said.
In the meetings of the Bal Panchayat, the sanitary pad settlement and hygiene are publicly discussed, thereby creating a healthy, open and conscious environment.
Children of Bal Sabha are inspiring villagers to plant trees to protect the environment.
Environmental watchman
Mishika Rotho proudly said that Jahuta Panchayat’s Bal Sarpanch, “Before that there were only 5 trees in the village – today we planted 3,000 trees!”
Efforts are also underway against plastic pollution. Children of the jerk are participating in plastic-free propaganda, garbage management and green work. They collect plastic pellets in the bottles and transfer the panchayat to the hand – which keeps cleaning in the village.
Abdul Karim Sarpanch of Dardi Village Panchayat in Rajasthan said, “Demand, infrastructure is bringing real changes to infrastructure. I have made clean and large toilets in all my panchayat schools demanding kids ..”
From the toilet to the schemes, from the meaningful digital library, these young voices confirm that schools are safe and universal to be accessible.
Members of the Bal Sabha have also launched a campaign against plastic pollution.
In addition to these, a system of digital library has also been launched under a scheme. These child leaders are not only raising questions, but also becoming a carrier of policy change.
Children’s Meeting: Chaupal of Change
Quarterly children’s meetings give children the opportunity to support the local leadership. Mishika Rathore said at a meeting that “We are in the Bal meeting with Sarpan Sir today – you can ask him something publicly.”
These meetings demand sports fields, road renovation and school facilities, which include children’s voices in the construction of the plan.
Balasva, Mishika Rothore.
Pic tomorrow
“Our thoughts will be directed to the next generation – in order to brighten and enrich our future, we need to change our attitude,” Mishika says.
With the slogan “Our Panchayat-Bal-Okul Panchayat”, these children are realizing the imagination of a Rajasthan where the voices of each child are heard, their interests should not be ignored and they feel strong.
This article is first Here Published.