Child Rights and Protection practices

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts, historical perspectives, legal frameworks, and institutional bodies involved in child rights and protection in India and Tamil Nadu.

Child

A person who is still growing physically, mentally, and emotionally, and has not yet reached adulthood; specifically defined by the UNCRC as any person below 18 years of age.

UNCRC

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international agreement adopted in 1989 to protect the rights and well-being of children globally.

Tabula Rasa

A concept introduced by John Locke meaning 'Blank Slate,' suggesting that children’s minds are shaped primarily by experience.

Intersectionality

A concept introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 explaining how overlapping social identities such as race, gender, and class influence a person's experience of discrimination.

Survival Rights

A category of child rights including the right to life, nutrition, shelter, and a name and nationality.

Development Rights

Rights that ensure a child's growth through access to education, healthcare, recreation, and cultural activities.

Protection Rights

Rights designed to ensure children are safe from harm, including abuse, neglect, exploitation, and child labour.

Participation Rights

Rights that allow children to express their opinions, share ideas freely, and participate in decisions that affect them.

Psychological Abuse

Emotional or mental mistreatment, such as verbal degradation, rejection, or constant criticism, that affects a child’s development.

Child Sexual Grooming

The act of building trust with a child for the specific purpose of exploiting them sexually.

Child Neglect

The failure of caregivers to meet a child’s basic needs, including physical, emotional, medical, or educational requirements.

Juvenile Delinquency

Unlawful or antisocial behaviour committed by a child below 18 years of age.

Child in Conflict with Law

A child who is alleged to have committed an offence or is involved in criminal activities under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Article 21A

A provision in the Indian Constitution added in 2002 that makes free and compulsory education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6–14 years.

POCSO Act (2012)

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, which provides a legal framework for protecting children from sexual abuse, exploitation, and pornography.

Child Welfare Committee (CWC)

A quasi-judicial statutory body established under the JJ Act 2015 to handle children in need of care and protection, such as those abandoned or abused.

Juvenile Justice Board (JJB)

A specialized judicial body composed of a magistrate and social workers that deals with cases involving children in conflict with the law.

Childline 1098

A national 24-hour toll-free emergency helpline service for children in distress in India.

District Child Protection Unit (DCPU)

A district-level body responsible for child protection services, including adoption, foster care, and monitoring child welfare laws.

Rights-Respecting Pedagogy

A teaching approach based on child rights principles that treats children as active participants in their own learning.

School Management Committee (SMC)

A group formed of parents, teachers, and community members to oversee school governance, infrastructure, and student welfare.

Positive Discipline

A technique that teaches children good behaviour through mutual respect, encouragement, and clear rules instead of physical or emotional punishment.

Naan Mudhalvan Scheme

A Tamil Nadu government initiative providing career guidance and industry-related skill training to students.

Ennum Ezhuthum Scheme

A program launched in Tamil Nadu to ensure basic literacy and numeracy for government school students in Classes 1–3 by 2025.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

An international document adopted in 1948 stating that freedom, equality, and social justice are essential for human dignity.