What if Aadhaar helped with the rehabilitation of street children?
Thanks to the multi-biometric census project Aadhaar, India has already created a billion digital identities covering various demographics. The neglected children, who survive without parents and housing will soon be able to get an Aadhaar card. A massive step towards rehabilitation!
Posted on 03.03.17
Despite India’s economic growth, poverty levels in the country remain very high, with many children living on the streets. UNICEF estimates that there are over 10 million street children in India, mainly in the major urban centers of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. 80% of street children have no identity and this poses the biggest obstacle in accessing government benefits & services. Humanitarian organizations are fighting to secure schooling and access to healthcare organizations for vulnerable children.
A security procedure to care for and protect children living on the streets has been designed with the aim of improving their living conditions, as part of a “Street to School” campaign. Soon, thanks to Aadhaar, street children but also orphans and abandoned children will be able to enroll in the program and set out on the path towards social rehabilitation. This procedure, approved by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, targets street children, orphans and abandoned children.
Aadhaar card, issuance strategy:
- No biometric data is recorded for children of under 5 years for the simple reason that fingerprints change constantly until that age and stabilize overtime. During this stage, the child’s account will be directly linked to that of their parent or guardian.
- Biometric data will be collected after 5 years and linked to the Aadhaar card through biometric update.
Other key measures include health insurance, bank accounts and financial sponsorship for families in order to meet their child’s medical and nutritional needs.
