Child Rights of Families Engaged in Sugarcane Farming in Maharashtra

Abstract

Attempt has been made to unveil the situation of children of seasonal migrants of cane cutters in western Maharashtra. Institution-led exclusionary practices against these migrant children have been observed on the basis of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Maharashtra's skewed development along with aspiration for economic mobility has been envisaged as the crucial determinant of such practices. Children being the integral part of such migration face multiple deprivations including child rights violation due to the absence of proper institutional mechanism and poor enforcement of laws against child labour. The study proposes a roadmap to protect child rights for children affected by seasonal migration.