Child Rights Law and
Advocacy in India

The transformation of child justice systems has emerged as a global shared concern, driven by growing evidence that how societies respond to children in conflict with the law, and to children who are victims of crime, shapes outcomes far beyond the courtroom. In India, two landmark legislative frameworks, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, have established a robust foundation for protecting children from exploitation, abuse, and neglect, while simultaneously pursuing rehabilitative approaches and social reintegration for children in conflict with the law.

Despite this progressive legal architecture, significant implementation challenges persist. Delays in justice delivery, the absence of consistently child-sensitive procedures, insufficient awareness among key actors, and critical gaps in research and advocacy continue to impede the full realisation of children’s rights across India. Emerging debates further complicate the landscape: how to balance accountability and rehabilitative responses; how to strengthen child protection systems; the current ongoing question of assessing the age of criminal responsibility for adolescents aged 16 to 18; and how to prevent secondary victimisation throughout the stages of the criminal process.

It is precisely within this context that the ICJA, the NLUD Chair on Justice for Children, with the Pro bono support of Baker McKenzie have joined forces to convene a two-day intensive training programme in New Delhi. This initiative brings together international expertise, comparative perspectives, and hands-on skill-building to equip legal practitioners, researchers, advocates, and policymakers with the knowledge and tools they need to advance children’s rights in a more informed and impactful manner.