Doesn’t the discussion about children’s views on safe public spaces suggest that our state is unsafe, a student asked at a gathering of select children in the state capital on Children’s Day on Friday.
The discussion ‘Njangalum Parayaam’ was organized by the Department of Women and Child Development to get the views of children regarding the implementation of Child-Secure Kerala.
42 children, three from each of the 14 districts, divided into four broad groups, spent the morning enthusiastically tackling four topics – safe school and public spaces; screening for addiction and use of drugs and other narcotic substances; responsible parenting; and violence against children. The discussions were managed and moderated by experienced WCD staff.
The children questioned why society did not respond to violence against children. “If someone catches a girl, no one will react. Is it because people are not aware or because the laws are not effective?” asked one of them while presenting the compiled recommendations.
They also spoke out against bullying, shaming and judgment, even from parents.
The children pointed out that many internalized all these feelings, so a space where they could express their joys and sorrows was essential.
Students whose school had a counselor were surprised to learn that not all schools had this facility. According to them, counselors should be placed in every school.
Another demand that received a lot of support was the lack of playgrounds, physical education classes and libraries in schools.
Bullying on social media was an area that was highlighted. The students were looking for some restrictions and the creation of child-friendly social media so that they could “explore the world” more safely.
The children demanded that the infrastructure be disabled-friendly; controlling the menace of stray dogs, especially on school campuses; inequality in schools; lack of age-appropriate sex education; and easy access to drugs and other substances, especially in small shops near schools.
They pointed to physical, psychological and sexual harassment of students by teachers and also sought counseling for teachers.
Students also ripped other students, including sexually, they said, pointing out that teachers often turned a blind eye to such incidents.
Many schools listed important helpline numbers but not Child Helpline numbers.
The children also had a lot to say about education. Trust in children, communication within the family, quality family time, reducing parental disagreements and their impact on children, stereotyping and discrimination between siblings for various reasons, comparing and imposing their wishes on children and physical abuse were all areas in which students wanted parents to do better. The children emphasized that they have the right to live in the name of their good in a family environment instead of a dormitory or boarding school.
The students processed the initiatives that arose during the discussions and presented them to the highest representatives of various departments.
Local Government Special Secretary TV Anupama; Thiruvananthapuram Range Deputy Inspector General of Police S. Ajeetha Beegum; Director of General Education NSK Umesh; and Arun B. Nair, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, all responded to the children’s suggestions.
Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights KV Manoj Kumar inaugurated the programme. Director of Women and Child Development Haritha V. Kumar spoke about the consultation and its objectives.
Published – 14 Nov 2025 19:42 IST
