Hans News Service Vijayawada

TheAndhra Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (AP SCPCR) has called for comprehensive administrative reforms to make the father’s name non-mandatory in government forms and official records wherever it is not legally mandatory, emphasising that no child should be denied education, identity documents, welfare benefits or essential services because of the absence of the father’s details.

Addressing a one-day state-level workshop on “Making Father’s Name Non mandatory”, jointly organised by the Children of India Foundation and AP SCPCR here on Tuesday, Vetukuri AVSSN Raju, chairperson of AP SCPCR, who was the chief guest, highlighted the need to place children’s dignity, identity, equality and fundamental rights at the centre of government documentation procedures.

Raju observed that children of single mothers, unmarried women, widowed and divorced women, survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, and children living under the care of guardians or other caregivers often face difficulties when government applications insist on the mandatory disclosure of the father’s name. Dr Rayapati Sailaja, chairperson of the AP State Commission for Women, emphasised the need for coordinated action and convergence among all concerned departments and the APSCPCR to take the initiative forward and secure a Government Order ensuring that no child is denied access to education or opportunities. She further stressed the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for all children and women, irrespective of their circumstances.

Concluding the address, she stated, “A child’s future should never be restricted by the absence of a father’s name in a government document. No child should be questioned about their family circumstances before being allowed to exercise their rights. Our administrative systems must be sensitive to children’s realities and guided by equality, dignity, privacy and the best interests of the child.”

The dignitaries present included MK Vijayalakshmi, Secretary of Krishna DLSA; Rama Rao, Assistant Commissioner, Education Department; P Ramana Reddy, Department of Juvenile Welfare; Vasanthabala, Director, DOJW; Srinivasa Rao, Deputy Director, Health Department; Sirisha, Joint Director, DWCD; VS Subbarao, Joint Director, School Education; PV Rao, chairperson, CWC, Eluru; Hemanth Kumar, Executive Director, Children of India Foundation; NVS Rammohan, Director, HELP; V Gandhibabu, Member, APSCPCR; Challa Madhusudanrao, Member, APSCPCR; and P Nagamanasa, Member, APSCPCR, Jennifar Y, Programme Manager, Children of India foundation, CWC chairpersons, Commission members, NGO representatives were present.