Who We Are?

Resource Institute for Human Rights (RIHR) is a non-government organization established in the year 2008 that aims to advocate for the realization of internationally and nationally set standards for human rights, especially in the area of child protection. For the last 15 years, the efforts have been focused towards building a holistic understanding of child rights and protection.

RIHR’s research and documentation efforts are directly linked to its aim of building a holistic understanding of Child Rights and exploring areas of concern that affect children and their rights. In this endeavour RIHR attempts to fill the gaps in existing information, collating such information, and creating a data and information base for advocacy, training, and capacity building of various stakeholders and public education.

The institute has undertaken research and documentation on a range of child rights issues including child labour, child trafficking, forced child begging, juvenile justice, Child Sexual Abuse etc.

At this point in time, an extensive study and analysis of government structured schemes, policies and budgets become significant in reaching a rational conclusion and building consensus on it. The institute intends to study and analyse policies, programmes, schemes and budgets and showcase these to all relevant stakeholders from grassroots up to international level.

While working with people, especially children with a right-based approach, a large section of the civil society has rigorously realised that the prevailing laws and policies affect people’s rights in a positive manner. The laws and policies are meant in our country to secure the under-privileged citizens mostly the poor. However, sometimes the laws are meant from the officialdom which results in inadequate and are not equipped with correct and complete information, adequate resources and knowledge of processes that could paddle their access to rights.

The RIHR believes in the inclusive development of humankind and makes sincere attempts towards ensuring human rights. It aims to empower citizens, particularly the poor and marginalised, and facilitate their attempts to access human rights. The committed team believes in action-oriented policy, research studies/analysis and its wider dissemination leading towards inclusive growth and development as it motivates and mobilises the common citizens with right-based demands and simultaneously the decision makers to modify their perceptions and adequate actions. RIHR in collaboration with Rajasthan Bal Adhikar Sanrakshan Sajha Abhiyaan (RBASSA) has made many remarkable efforts to strengthen the child protection system.

“Empower the common citizens and support the political administration through organised action oriented research, analysis of programmes & policies and governance processes that motivate and mobilise them for appropriate actions, which ultimately leads towards supporting and cementing the human rights”.

Capacity Building
The capacity building programs are organized to equip the key stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure child welfare.

Several orientation and training programs have been organized to enhance the knowledge of stakeholders including Police officials, Special Juvenile Police Units, Anti Human Trafficking Units, Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards, Childline etc.

Frequent dialogues with Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) on various issues pertaining to social and child protection.

Meetings have been organized with Police, Special Juvenile Police Units, Anti Human Trafficking Units etc. to understand their problems and provide probable solutions.
Many training programs on children's rights, child protection, related acts, state budgets on children’s development, etc have been organised for NGO functionaries to enhance their knowledge and actions.

Research and Documentation
Research and documentation serve as a crucial tool not only for understanding the challenges faced by children but also for advocating for their well-being and ensuring that their rights are protected and upheld by societies and governments.

The research findings serve as the foundation for advocacy campaigns, lobbying efforts, and policy recommendations aimed at improving the well-being of people. It helps pinpoint specific challenges faced by children, related to education, healthcare, protection from abuse, or access to basic necessities. It also provides a basis for holding governments, institutions, and other stakeholders accountable for fulfilling their obligations towards the beneficiaries.

Many studies and analyses have been conducted on mid-day meal programs, questions raised by the MLAs, the status of child enrolment, facilities, teacher-pupil and girl-boy ratio, District Information for School Education (DISE), Rajasthan State Budget, functional status of 25 Anganwadi Centres, etc.

Advocacy
Engaging in advocacy is an essential and impactful endeavour.

The approach helps influence the policies that protect and promote children’s rights. This involves working closely with government bodies, policymakers, and legislators to draft, implement, and enforce laws that safeguard children's welfare.

Further continuously studying and monitoring the child rights policies and programs helps in evaluating the gaps and areas that require improvement.

Advocacy is a multifaceted effort that requires dedication, resources and collaboration. By advocating for policies, raising awareness, providing support and engaging communities, the organization plays a crucial role in ensuring that children’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.

The Child Labour Free Jaipur campaign was launched with the support of the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (RSCPCR).
Organized several public hearings in Rajasthan and Bihar with rescued child labourers.

Advocacy with the Government of Bihar for the rehabilitation of rescued child labourers.

Public advocacy has been done for the establishment of separate departments for children and the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act and Integrated Child Protection Scheme.

Raised several questions and issues with the support of MLAs in the state assembly.

Raised several cases related to child rights violations with the concerned departments including State Child Protection Commission, State Human Rights Commission, National Child Rights Commission, CWC, District Child Protection Unit and other stakeholders.

Case Management
Demonstrating One Stop Crisis Management Centre for Children (OSCMCC) with UNICEF and Jaipur Police at the premises of the Mahila Police Station (East), Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur.

OSCMCC works as a one-point contact for children coming in contact with the Police and providing necessary basic facilities as well as counselling and legal support to children.

Supporting Police and Special Police for Juvenile Unit (SPJU) in handling and documenting the cases related to children in conflict with the law in child friendly manner.

Supporting Anti Human Trafficking Units in rescuing child labour and victims of human trafficking.

Providing counselling and legal services, streamlining them with a formal education system, etc to child victims and their families.
Linking children and their families with social protection schemes.

Promoting diversion strategies and restorative justice for children in conflict with law.

Proper follow-up of the children who are being rehabilitated in their families.

Supporting children in need of care and protection by ensuring the utilization of referral services.

Establishing and strengthening network, coordination and collaborative structure to support child victims.

Constant Watch of the Legislature
The institute keeps a vigilant and constant watch on the functioning of the State Legislative Assembly (SLA) which is crucial in safeguarding human rights. In order to make SLA sessions much more substantial and development oriented from a citizen perspective, citizens are updated about assembly proceedings and decisions and further submit the citizen's feedback to the policymakers. This develops a vibrant interaction between the citizens and their representatives, which ultimately ensures good governance.

Knowledge & Information Centre
Builds knowledge and understanding of the civil society groups on programmes, policies and budgets at different levels i.e. national, regional, district, block and grassroots. This empowers people for collective action and advocacy with the decision-makers. Also, maintain comprehensive records/data bank of policies, programmes and schemes with a scientific mechanism for regular updates.

Offering Expertise
The institute offers research and analysis expertise, particularly on policy and budgetary issues in response to requests from individuals, groups, institutions and organisations, that are committed to bringing change favouring “the poor and disadvantaged”. Also, undertake research including action and evaluation.

Knowledge Sharing
The RIHR shares the policies and budget analysis in reader friendly language with a range of target beneficiaries to motivate and mobilise them for advocacy with the government to optimise benefits in their favour. Also, conduct capacity building programmes for these beneficiary groups.

Expanding Network
Promoting and supporting networks of individuals, institutions, and organisations that have a right-based approach. Within the network, the RIHR focal point for civil society’s endeavours favouring the common citizens. The networking enables the advocacy work with a broader perspective to bring desired changes for development among citizens.

Broadening Supportive Association
The institute has a working team of researchers and analysts. The team has substantial research background and experience in the development sector. It seeks support from prominent academicians and research scholars engaged in the development sector in order to get its work widely recognised.

Outreach
The RIHR generates awareness and disseminates information amongst the common citizens and their representatives by utilising all available modes of communication. Since the logical information about budget and welfare schemes for rural poor are excluded and the State Legislative Assembly’s deliberations on these issues are generally overlooked by the mainstream media, the institute shares information through social media on various platforms in a simplified manner. This helps to fill the gaps in knowledge and communication among citizens and their representatives.

Over the years, the interventions by RIHR have grown into two major verticals for integrated and sustainable development for the Children’s and Child Protection System.
•     Research and Documentation
•     Protection of Child Rights