For India, human rights concerns frequently intersect with child and youth advocacy issues. Child labor, for example, has a longstanding history in the country as many families living in poverty need their children to work instead of attend school. This continues to be a serious problem throughout Rajasthan. In 2000, it was estimated that within this region, more than 16 percent of children between the ages 10 and 14 were working in either the industrial or agricultural sector. High levels of seasonal migration in the area exacerbate the use of child labor. As parents leave in search of work, financial responsibility shifts to the children of the household, and many are forced to abandon their schooling altogether.

The Hindu caste system has also been a source of social division and oppression for centuries. This system created a rigid social stratification and established a clear hierarchy in social status. Lower castes are taught to accept their inferior place in society, resulting in exploitation and subjugation by upper castes. As a result, members of lower castes experience high rates of poverty and are locked into their socioeconomic status over successive generations.

FSD collaborates with many human rights organizations whose fundamental mission is outreach to the oppressed. These organizations work to curb child labor and raise families out of poverty by providing them with rehabilitation centers, proper nutrition, and opportunity. Additionally, several NGOs in Udaipur and Jodhpur provide housing and education for orphans, hosts famine relief camps, and assists those suffering from drug addictions. All these projects are extremely effective, but additional assistance and funding is necessary for lasting change. Many living in both rural and urban areas have not yet had the opportunity to benefit from these projects, and NGOs need the resources to target those in greatest need.

Read more about Human Rights programs and opportunities initiated by our Community Partners in India.

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