Once Child Labourer, Karnataka Girl Now Set To Address Parliament

Kanaka V's story is a perfect example of where hard work and passion cause can take you. The girl, hailing from Karnataka, spent 12 years of life in drudgery as a child labourer. And now, she is all geared up to put forth her views on child rights in Parliament on November 20 on the occasion of Universal Children’s Day.

Kanaka is among the 30 children who have been selected from across the nation to deliver speeches at an event organised by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). She is the only one to represent Karnataka and will speak there for eight minutes.

Read Also: Women and children prone to human trafficking in the aftermath of floods, warn aid workers

The Journey To Parliament

Kanaka (17) was born in a slum. While her mother worked as a maid  to eke out a living, her father's physical disability kept him at home. Her mother sent her to school till class 4 but she had to drop out when her mother was diagnosed with cancer.

“I feel that though there are several laws to protect child rights, nothing is enforced effectively. I am going to stress the same in Parliament.” - Kanaka V

Kanaka worked in three houses to fend for the family. A few months later, Kanaka’s mother succumbed to the disease and the girl was forced to live with her relatives, who put her through emotional, physical and mental abuse.

Her relatives made Kanaka work in wedding halls. In one such hall in Yeshwanthpur, people from NGO SPARSHA spotted her. They rescued her in 2011.

At present, Kanaka is in her PU first year in a private college in the city. She scored 80 per cent in her Class 10 board exams and aspires to be a scientist.

Read Also: The Forgotten Dignity Of Labour

Stressing on the need to protect child rights

Kanaka believes this to be one of the happiest moments of her life. She says, “I feel that though there are several laws to protect child rights, nothing is enforced effectively. I am going to stress the same in Parliament.”