'EVEN A JOURNEY OF 10,000 MILES, STARTS WITH A STEP' - Lao Tzu

After an exhilarating morning on the soccer field, we make our way over to meet with the chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). This is a part of the trip I had been particularly excited about, not only because we were privileged to meet with the chairperson but be able to hear the stories first hand of her six years in the coveted position. The stories from a woman no less, who bears so much responsibility for making the decisions which impact the safety and future of so many children.
Today, we not only heard the stories but we sat as witnesses in the committee hearing. No words were needed when we saw a child no more than 13years old (she wasn't convincing in her testimony of being 21 years old) and her tiny baby, wrapped in nothing but cloth, her fragility evident in the manner which a carer carefully cradled her in her arms.
The girl, sobbing is clearly pleading with the chairperson to be able to keep her child but understandably, the chairperson has to make the tough decision to separate them in the meantime, so that the girl may be able to have a chance at a proper education and life. Carolyn and I aren't sure of the girl's story, how a child became a mother to child, but it's a story so common in India. The tragic reality is that most girls bearing children at such a young age aren't from circumstances of choice and not all stories have the opportunity to be heard in a setting such as the committee but by fate this young girl has ended up here today, and we were able to engage silently as the decision was made that she will spend time in rehabilitation and school before being able to reconnect with her child.
Not all cases end with the possibilities of union between mother and child, in fact, we are told that most babies in these situations end up in adoption homes.
Next, we meet a 15 year old girl who enters the room with her visibly upset mother. It doesn't take long for us to realise that this young girl had been sold for marriage and we are shocked to learn that she was forced into a union with a 35 year old deaf and mute man. The girl had run away from him, and the mother was upset that if she isn't returned their family will be threatened and extorted for money.
It's difficult to understand how a 15 year old girl would have the capacity to understand and bear the responsibilities of a marriage let alone be forced into such a situation. The chairperson understandably angry at the mother ends up telling her to leave her courtroom and that if she was to even think about returning the child to the man she would be arrested. The girl stands sobbing, tears streaming down her face, not because of her vulnerability she says but because she "doesn't want mum to be arrested". Carolyn walks up to her and offers her a tissue, and she's taken back by her caring gesture.
The chairperson beckons the girl and as she walks past Carolyn and I, tears still streaming down her face, she manages to smile. A genuine smile. She had felt the unspoken connection with us and as she tried to lock eyes, I had to look away. I didn't want her to see the tears in my eyes as I desperately wanted to smile back at her.
These are only two of many stories we heard today. And of many that are told every other day.
It's hard to believe that still most go untold but this committee and others like it are dedicated to play their part in a myriad of fighters to keep a sense of justice afloat.

Below is a snapshot of the role a CWC plays in a community (from http://www.childlineindia.org.in/Child-Welfare-Committee.htm)

"As per the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 (amended in 2006) State governments are required to establish a CWC or two in ever district. Each CWC should consist of a chairperson and four members. The chairperson should be a person well versed in child welfare issues and at least one member of the board should be a woman. The CWC has the same powers as a metropolitan magistrate or a judicial magistrate of the first class. A child can be brought before the committee (or a member of the committee if necessary) by a police officer, any public servant, CHILDLINE personnel, any social worker or public spirited citizen, or by the child himself/herself.

The CWC usually sends the child to a children's home while the inquiry into the case is conducted for the protection of the child. The CWC meets and interviews the child to learn his/her background information and also understand the problem the child is facing. The probation officer (P.O) in charge of the case must also submit regular reports of the child. The purpose of the CWC is to determine the best interest of the child and find the child a safe home and environment either with his/her original parents or adoptive parents, foster care or in an institution.

A final order must be given within four months of the admission of the child before the CWC. The CWC also has powers to hold people accountable for the child such as in the case of child labour, the employers are fined or made to give bonds to the children. CWC also has the power to transfer the child to a different CWC closer to the child's home or in the child's state to dispose of the case and reunite the child with his family and community."