Mumbai: At the ninth National Annual Stakeholders Consultation on Child Protection, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasized the need for a justice system that recognizes and addresses the compounded vulnerabilities faced by children with disabilities.
He highlighted that the challenges extend beyond physical accessibility, as these children confront deep-rooted societal biases, stereotypes, and misconceptions.
“We must ensure that the justice system, from the police stations to the courtrooms, understands and responds to the compounded vulnerabilities of these children,” he stated, advocating for restorative justice approaches.
He noted that the Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act) provides various rehabilitation measures, which should be adapted to meet the specialized needs of children with disabilities.
The two-day event, organized by the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Supreme Court in collaboration with UNICEF India, featured special addresses from Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi and Justice BV Nagarathna, chairperson of the committee. Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF’s country representative, provided introductory remarks.
CJI Chandrachud further elaborated on the concept of intersectionality, stressing that disability often overlaps with other marginalized identities, such as gender, caste, and socio-economic status. This intersectionality amplifies the discrimination faced by these children.
“For children with disabilities, these compounded vulnerabilities can have devastating effects,” he warned, urging the state to provide additional safeguards to address their unique challenges.