We need strong political will to protect children: Kailash Satyarthi

Kailash Satyarthi is one of the most prominent voices globally campaigning for the rights of children.

Ahead of his session at the Investing in the Future Summit in Sharjah - which will take place on October 19-20 - Satyarthi speaks exclusively to Khaleej Times about a range of issues concerning children, and why he is optimistic about seeing a change in his lifetime.
How has life changed since you were conferred with the Nobel Prize?
Recognition by the Nobel Committee has helped me highlight the issues of the marginalised and neglected children on global platforms such as the United Nations, and also with the heads of nations of different countries. There is a serious need to prioritise the issues of children on the global level in terms of protection, education, health, and welfare. In terms of travel, it has increased. And on a personal note, my wife and I don't quarrel, or argue, anymore.
You have often talked about creating an exclusive global platform for children. How will this happen? Would it be easy to get the global community on the same page?
In the last three decades, I have realised there is a huge lack of political will to solve the issues of children. Lack of budgetary allocations and absence of child protection laws are the biggest impediments. We need stronger political will to overcome these impediments, and this cannot happen until we there is a social moment that realises and recognises children as our future. Children need proper education, and saved from slavery. Child labour is bad for any society. It is a difficult task because of complacency and different mindsets, the social and gender bias. These are definitely some of the challenges, but I am sure once we are able to create a movement, we would be able to mobilise and stir in change.
How do you perceive child rights in the UAE?
The government and society are moving in the right direction. The budgetary allocations for education and healthcare of children have been there; people care about children, which is good. But as far as good quality and scientific education is concerned, a lot of work is needed, particularly with regards to the girl child.
The UAE recently announced a federal law on child rights. What are your views on this?
I have not gone through it in detail, but I appreciate the move and similar efforts by the UAE government, who are trying to protect the rights of the children. I see it as a significant move. Now, it is for the government and people to ensure that such laws are not just enacted but properly implemented.
Can you shed some light on child trafficking from South Asia to the Middle East?
Yes, there are children that are trafficked from south Asia for child marriages, forced prostitution, and other needs, and this needs to be addressed. These (children) are ... (mainly) ... from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. We need strict actions from governments of these countries, and also from the governments of receiving or transit nations, who should take on more responsibility and action to control trafficking at their borders. Unfortunately, I haven't seen an academic study that has studied the numbers in detail.
Human trafficking is the most lucrative business in the world. Many independent studies reveal that human trafficking earns profits of roughly $150 billion a year, surpassing that of the other two big illicit businesses - drugs and arms.
Millions of children are severely affected by war, like the one in Syria, and natural disasters. Are you optimistic that the world would be able to save this generation of children?
I always feel and put it across to the UN and politicians that if we are able to support and protect this generation of children then the next generation will be able to protect themselves. I am optimistic because we in our humble roles have minimised the number of child labourers from 246 million in 2000 to 168 million. The number of children out of school too have halved from 130 million in 2000 to 60 million now. Good progress has been made, but a lot of work is still required.
What issues are you going to talk about at the Investing In the Future summit?
More or less the same issues I have discussed so far, and emphasis a little more on girl child. Girls are the worst victims of trafficking in the world. Moreover, I think if we prioritise our needs, we can raise fearless and empowered children.
Annually, we need just $22 billion extra money to ensure education for children in primary classes and all together $39 billion to ensure secondary education. In perspective, this is just 3.2 per cent of the global military spending in 2015. It is not an astronomical figure, and can be easily allocated.
suneeti@khaleejtimes.com 

• UAE