On 10th July 2016, the CRT team on child rights and child protection met with 41 youth from St.John the Baptist Parish to discuss and talk about Exploitation of Children in Tourism
A new participatory methodology was used. The youth were divided into 3 sub groups and each group was given different areas to discuss and dwell upon: Group 1 watched a video clip and discussed various issues seen in the clip that are faced by youth and children as a result of tourism. Group 2 discussed specific child related laws that prevailed. Group 3 was given 4 situations of children on the beach and asked to discuss which where acceptable and which were not according to them.
Group one identified most of the areas depicted in the clip. They also had good examples that they had experienced and shared that with the rest of the group.
Group 2 spoke about rights of children at large. The rights identified by them were mostly general human rights. The most significant right they mentioned was the Right to Education. They were not aware of Goa Children’s Act and Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences
Group 3 had some mixed feelings about the 1st incident . However they were very clear about the other three being absolutely unacceptable.
Following the group discussion and reporting as an in-depth session on Goa Children’s Act and Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences was conducted.
Some youth expressed their apprehension with the laws being just on paper and not in practice. The youth were encouraged to not give up, rather to mobilize like minded youth and put social pressure on the government to get these laws put into practice.
This was followed by a quiz for the youth with covered various questions that were covered in the presentations and group discussions.
The session ended with the distribution of sticker and other materials on zero tolerance to child abuse.