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Child Media for ECCDGlobal Leaders 2007-08 India ProjectPresented by: Nirali Mehta, Technical Advisor-ECCDPlan International (India)7 October 2008, Budapest, Hungary

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Populations of Indian States compared to Selected CountriesSource: GOI Unicef Cooperation 2003-7

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Goal

To sensitize mainstream media on Early Childhood Care and

Development issues

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Objectives1. to develop a mechanism to ensure

regular media coverage on the issue of ECCD

2. to strengthen media skills of children so that they communicate their issues effectively at the grassroots level and

3. to develop a meaningful and easy to use media information kit for dissemination purposes.

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Steps taken 1. Relationship building exercise with the media2. Media sensitization workshops for

mainstream journalists3. Field visits to childcare centres run under the

Government’s ICDS programme for the network of development journalists

4. Dissemination of issue driven press releases5. Media Research on overall media coverage

scenario on ECCD in India

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Steps contd…6. Media skills training to children 7. Interface between child journalists and

mainstream journalists8. Documenting the entire process for

developing useful information material so that the model can be replicated to cover other issues relating to children in the future

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Results •First time interface for some journalists

•Appreciation for highlighting children’s issues

•Coverage of ECCD issues in mainstream media

•Response and action from State systems post reports by children

•Feed into UNCRC Alternate Report

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Headlines…“Plan India’s initiative for child rights Audits of ICDS centres”- Tribune News Service

“Million deprived of pre-school education”- The Hindu

“Concern over neglect of children under six in Budget” The Hindu

“Approach Paper quiet on Crèches”- Business Standard

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At Rampur Aanganwadi (local term for ICDS centres meaning a garden in the courtyard) centre children faced caste discrimination. The ‘lower caste’ children were made to sit separately and not allowed to take water.

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The village Sarpanch (local village head) was informed about this discrimination by children who in turn warned the Aanganwadi worker of action against her if she didn’t stop discrimination. She apologizes and starts treating all children equally.

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The Aanganwadi worker is stealing nutrition from the centre. Mohan, a young boy comes to know about it and decids to do something about it.

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Mohan visits the District office and registers a complains. The officer visits the centre and catches the worker red handedly and sacks her

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Lessons Learned•Child protection-a priority when involving children•Unpack the issue…Applying ECCD lens is critical- making it ‘newsworthy’!

•Identify supporters of ECCD/development journalists- Media contact list.

•Continuous dialogue- Press releases, e-group, writing to the editors etc…

•Be prepared…Timing is critical•Media Advocacy- a part of overall Advocacy strategy.

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