Purple Jallosh, held from January 17th to 19th, 2025, in Pune, Maharashtra, was a unique three-day festival dedicated to celebrating the limitless potential of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Organized by Pimpri Chinchwad Mahanagar Palika (PCMC) and the Divyang Bhavan Foundation, Pune, with UNICEF Maharashtra as the Knowledge Partner, the festival featured a wide array of events, including an Assistive Tech Expo, a Pitch Arena for Start-ups, Inclusive Performances by PwDs, Workshops, Panel Discussions, the Purple Solvathon, Abilympics, and immersive Experience Zones.
On the third day of the Purple Jallosh festival, a panel discussion on “Protection Risks and the Law: Disability and Inclusion” was organised by UNICEF. The session focused on the legal framework surrounding the rights of children and young people with disabilities, exploring key challenges and barriers that children with disabilities face in accessing justice, and emphasizing the intersection of disability with age, gender, and socio-economic marginalization. Additionally, the panellists discussed the psycho-social and legal support necessary for children with disabilities and their caregivers as they navigate the justice system.
Moderated by Alpa Vora, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF Maharashtra, the panel featured the following distinguished experts in the field: Nidhi Ashok Goyal, Founder and Executive Director, Rising Flame; Adv. Persis Sidhva, Director, RATI Foundation; Tanuja Babre, State Consultant, UNICEF, and Visiting Faculty, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS); and Aditi Jha, Head of Social Work, Ummeed – Child Development Centre.
The session was attended by representatives from government departments, municipal corporations, child protection and disability practitioners, civil society organizations (CSOs), academics, teachers, parents of PwDs, disability justice allies and members of the community at large.
Nidhi Goyal’s experience in policy and practice provided valuable insights into the vulnerabilities faced by children and young people with disabilities, particularly in relation to violence, abuse, and their access to justice and essential services.
Nidhi began by highlighting the societal stigma that begins at birth for children with disabilities. She pointed out that many parents, fearing societal judgment, often hide the existence of their disabled children, sometimes even being dishonest regarding the existence of a child with disabilities in their household when census data is being collected. This invisibilisation limits children’s access to education and participation in everyday public and domestic life–and crucially, to sexuality education. Nidhi emphasised how society often desexualizes people with disabilities, denying them agency and autonomy. This, in turn, places children with disabilities at greater risk of abuse, as they are often excluded from protective measures that are taken for other children, such as being monitored around caretakers and extended family members.
NIdhi elaborated on the gaps in legal protection and awareness, despite existing laws like the POCSO Act. Children with disabilities may not recognize sexual abuse due to a lack of education and awareness, and if they do report abuse, their testimonies are often dismissed. She emphasized the need for best practices and stronger protections, which go beyond the mere existence of laws, identifying three critical areas for improvement:
- Access to Information: Children with disabilities must be educated on their rights, including what constitutes abuse.
- Training and Sensitization: Parents, caregivers, health professionals, and justice system actors must be trained to recognize and respond appropriately to cases of abuse involving children with disabilities.
- De-stigmatizing Disability and Sexuality: The societal perception of disability and sexuality must be challenged to ensure a safer and more inclusive environment for all.
Nidhi concluded her address by asserting that protection for children with disabilities is not just a concern for child rights or disability-focused organizations—it is an issue that affects everyone. She called for broader engagement from professionals across sectors, including law enforcement, medical practitioners, and judicial officers, stressing that awareness of legal protections is insufficient unless accompanied by systemic changes in attitudes and practices.