3. Tool Kit on Monitoring State Mechanisms for Child Rights
3 Human Rights Advocacy and Research Institute
March 2017; hrf.net.in
An introduction to this toolkit and the institute
The Human Rights Advocacy and Research Institute (HRI) is an initiative of a group of human rights
organisations and defenders, anchored by the Human Rights Research and Advocacy Foundation (HRF) to create
a high quality knowledge institution on human rights theory, practice and governance. It is to bridge the
distance between the human rights defenders (practice), academe (theory), administrators (duty bearers), and
citizens (rights holders).
It addresses the need for systematic transformation of experience and expertise, especially those derived from
practitioner (field) experience into transferable knowledge with academic rigour. Use of data and latest
management advances will be integral to the offerings since there is a high standard of data, evidence and skills
required for advocacy and social justice.
To create a body of empowered active citizens and embed a culture of human rights in society, the institute will:
(a) Collect, organise and develop a theory and pedagogy to communicate human rights practitioner experience
and knowledge systematically.
(b) Develop tools for monitoring, communication and knowledge transfer.
(c) Identify lacunae and best practice in implementation of existing law and functioning of state mechanisms.
(d) Identify gaps in policy and law and advocate for rectification (including amendments to existing law)
through innovative policy advocacy.
(e) Create a body of literature and knowledge base on the practice of human rights, monitoring and
accountability.
(f) Train individuals, organisations and communities so that they understand human rights and the human
rights approach to development, and have the tools and expertise in science, technology and management for
practical, effective and efficient implementation.
The institute is a polycentric ‘open school’ in its essence. Each module offered will be in partnership with
practitioners (human rights defenders and organisations) and academia. These partnerships will be with local
human rights organisations/defenders who have demonstrated niche expertise and reputed local academic
institutions. Globally renowned defenders will design the courses and take master classes. Certificates will be
awarded on successful completion.
There will be three streams of focus groups: (a) Activists and community leaders (b) Academia: scholars,
researchers (graduate and above) (c) Administrators and implementers.
This toolkit is to help practitioners better monitor the state mechanisms tasked with protecting and promoting
child rights – from the village to district, state and national levels. They are developed from the key
constitutional provisions and legislations intended to protect and promote child rights. The constitutional
framework and the legal architecture are simplified for use by child rights defenders. Some of the best practice –
codified from practitioner experience and experience spanning decades – are also included in this tool kit.
It is our hope that putting this knowledge base and toolkit in public domain under creative commons licensing
will enable wider use and better innovation in compliance. This, and other toolkits developed by the institute,
will be continuously updated to incorporate cutting edge practitioner experience. We look forward to your
feedback and input to make this into a living document that will help us in our collective endeavour to make a
world fit for children.
Annie Namala
Managing Trustee and Director
Human Rights Advocacy and Research Foundation (HRF)
1 March 2017