NHRC Acts on Petition Highlighting Violation of Breastfeeding Rights of Musahar Women in Varanasi’s Brick Kilns
By Lenin Raghuvanshi
The struggle of marginalised women often remains unheard—especially when those voices belong to Musahar women working under exploitative conditions in brick kilns. On 8 August 2025, I submitted an urgent petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking its immediate intervention to safeguard the right to breastfeed and ensure basic maternal and child healthcare for Musahar women working in brick kilns across Varanasi district.
Why This Petition Was Filed
Key Findings
-
Over 335 Musahar families work in brick kilns across Harahua, Badagaon, Pindara, and Arajiline blocks.
-
103 pregnant women and over 300 children under five lack access to Anganwadi services, PHCs, or immunisation.
-
Mothers are denied time, rest, and dignity, often returning to labour shortly after childbirth.
-
In 2022, only 9 infants received colostrum; by 2024 this number improved to 38, yet much more is needed.
-
Cases of malnutrition, anaemia, and early childcare neglect are widespread.
These violations clearly undermine the right to breastfeed, recognised globally as a fundamental human right essential for a child’s survival and development.
Best Practice: The JanMitra Nyas – CRY Model
In collaboration with CRY – Child Rights and You, and under the leadership of Shruti Nagvanshi, JanMitra Nyas implemented a replicable, rights-based intervention model focusing on the most vulnerable.
Major Components:
-
Community Mobilisation & Behaviour Change CommunicationCounselling mothers on nutrition, breastfeeding, and health rights.
-
Service Linkages During MigrationMigrant families connected with VHNDs and PHCs near kiln sites.
-
Collaboration with Brick Kiln OwnersSecuring rest time and breastfeeding spaces for pregnant and lactating women.
-
Access to Nutrition via Anganwadi CentresEnsuring distribution of Take-Home Ration (THR).
-
Capacity Building of ANMs & AWWsStrengthening local health delivery systems.
Tangible Outcomes (2022–2024):
-
Institutional deliveries rose from 54% to 65%
-
Colostrum feeding quadrupled
-
Child immunisation tripled
-
Infant mortality declined by 50%
-
Zero child deaths reported in 2024
This model presents a powerful example for improving maternal-child health in unorganised labour sectors.
What the Petition Requested from NHRC
The petition urged NHRC to:
-
Conduct a suo-motu investigation and field visit to brick kiln regions of Varanasi.
-
Issue directives to the State for:
-
Protecting breastfeeding rights and ensuring rest spaces.
-
Providing mobile health units and immunisation services.
-
Enforcing labour standards under the Maternity Benefit Act.
-
-
Recognise and replicate the JanMitra Nyas–CRY model nationwide.
-
Direct the NCW and NCPCR to monitor rights violations.
-
Recommend compensation and redress for families who lost children due to systemic neglect.
NHRC’s Response
The NHRC registered the complaint (Case No. 23695/24/72/2025-WC) and instructed the Uttar Pradesh Health Department to take appropriate action within 8 weeks, ensuring the complainant is informed.
This official action is a significant validation of the systemic injustices endured by Musahar mothers and an important step toward restoring their rights.
Conclusion: A Call for Justice and Human Dignity
Women like Kajal, who said, “Brick-making can wait, but my baby cannot,” remind us that breastfeeding is not a privilege—it is a fundamental human right.
The NHRC’s intervention gives hope that their voices will not be silenced, and that India’s brick kiln sector will soon adopt humane, rights-based practices for all working mothers.
Link for peition: https://www.scribd.com/document/957300231/NHRC-Acts-on-Petition-Highlighting-Violation-of-Breastfeeding-Rights-of-Musahar-Women-in-Varanasi-s-Brick-Kilns
 |
| NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION |
| MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN BLOCK-C, GPO COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023 |
| Fax No.: 011-24651332 Website: www.nhrc.nic.in |
| (Law Division) |
| Case No.- 23695/24/72/2025-WC |
| Date : 27/11/2025 |
| To, |
Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh
UTTAR PRADESH UTTAR PRADESH
Email- psecup.health@gmail.com
| Sir/ Madam, |
| The complaint/ intimation dated 08/08/2025, received from DR. LENIN RAGHUVANSHI in respect of KAJAL AND OTHER WOMEN, was placed before the Commission on 27/11/2025. Upon perusing the same, the Commission directed as follows: |
| This complaint be transmitted to the concerned authority for such action as deemed appropriate. The authority concerned is directed to take appropriate action within 8 weeks associating the complainant/victim and to inform him/her of the action taken in the matter. |
| 2. Accordingly, I am attaching scanned copy of the complaint/ intimation for necessary action as per the directions of the Commission. |
Yours faithfully |
| CC to |
Complainant Details: |
Sd/- |
No comments:
Post a Comment