 India is a large and varied country, displaying a dizzying array of cultures, colors, scents, and socio-economic backgrounds. 25.7 million orphans are the result of armed conflicts, poverty, disease, and natural and man-made disasters. While the economy is booming in some sectors, the gap between the rich and poor is dramatic. A number of laws exist to guarantee the special protection of children, but implementation falls distinctly short of need. Street children, child labor, and child trafficking are prevalent, most notably the sex trade of young girls along the borders. The vestiges of the caste system remain, although officially denied, and the Dalits, or “Untouchables,” face a particularly brutal reality. Institutional care is the primary system for caring for children in need and few standards exist to regulate it.
Unlike many countries in the developing world, India possesses the resources to dramatically change the situation of its marginalized children. India’s powerful history of social change and innovation makes it an ideal place for best practices in child care to shine. Indeed, in-country adoption is on the rise, and many organizations are working to promote permanent, non-institutional care.
Statistics (UNICEF)
Total population (2006):
1,151,751,000
Population under 18 (2006):
445,361,000 (39%)
Children (0-17) orphaned due to all causes (2005):
25,700,000
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