World Cities Day is celebrated annually on 31 October to promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization and push forward cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities and addressing challenges of urbanization, and in contributing to sustainable urban development around the world. But the process of urbanization is not possible unless and until we address the issue of children in this context. Children have every right to receive basic services, protection from violence and feel safe in the city they live in. With the increasing crime rates and violence against children, emerged the idea of child friendly cities.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 to end poverty, reduce inequality and build more peaceful, prosperous societies, cannot be achieved without the realization of child rights.
From a safe, secure and clean environment to call home, opportunities to enjoy family life, play and leisure, access to quality essential social services, being valued respected and treated fairly within their communities and by local authorities and having their voice, needs and priorities heard and taken into account, a child-friendly city recognises and realizes the rights of children within the context of the city.
In India, despite strong laws for the protection of children, the data on abuse, violence and exploitation is astounding. Of the major cities in India, according to the NCRB Report of 2018, the total number of cases in cities i.e. 20511, these cities were ranked from the most dangerous cities to the least dangerous cities for children:
Delhi: Delhi is the most dangerous city for children as it has 33.4% crimes out of the total crimes of all cities with 152 cases of murder alone along with 9463 cases of kidnapping, 9710 cases of abduction and 402 cases of human trafficking. It also includes 556 offences by care takers and 231 cases of child labours.
Mumbai: following Delhi, Mumbai is the 2nd most dangerous city for children with 17.1% of total cases committed in cities.it has 40 murder cases, 4131 of kidnapping, 4127 cases of abduction and 4 cases of procuration of minor girls along with 37 human trafficking cases and 236 cases of offences by care takers and 164 cases of child labour.
Bengaluru: It is the 3rd most dangerous city to live in for children with 8.8% cases out of the total cases in cities. It has 70 murder cases, 2018 case of kidnapping, 1948cases of abduction, 46 cases of procuration of minor girls and 84 cases of child labour.
Surat: Surat is the 4th most dangerous city with 5.2% cases out of the total cases in cities with 42 cases of murder, 681 cases of kidnapping, 559 cases of abduction and 18 cases of child labour.
Indore: Indore is the 5th most dangerous city to live in for children as it consists of 4.7% cases out of the total cases with 28 cases of murder, 1057 cases of kidnapping, 1013 cases of abduction along with 2 cases of procuration of minor girls and 4 cases of human trafficking.
Pune: Pune at the 6th position is among the top cities which is not safe for kids as it has 4.3% cases out of the total cases committed in cities with 22 murder cases, 1021 cases of kidnapping, 1191 cases of abduction, 6 cases of procuration of minor girls and 9 cases of human trafficking and 2 cases of child labour.
Chennai: Chennai stands at the 7th position for the most dangerous cities with 3.8% cases out of the total cases committed in cities. It includes 56 cases of murder, 46 cases of kidnapping, 20 cases of abduction and 18 cases of procuration of minor girls with 6 cases of rape and 8 cases of child labour.
Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad is the 8th most dangerous city in India for children with 3.6% of the total cases committed which includes 22 cases of murder, 440 cases of kidnapping, 344 cases of abduction and 12 cases of child labour.
Nagpur: Nagpur stands at the 9th position with 3.4% of the total cases which is slightly lesser than Ahmedabad. It includes 20 cases of murder, 915 cases of kidnapping and 891 cases of abduction.
Lucknow: Lucknow is the 10th most dangerous city for children in India with 3.4%cases out of the total cases in cities. It includes 28 cases of murder, 996 cases of kidnapping, 950 cases of abduction and 8 cases of human trafficking.
