We rightly assume that democracy helps people articulate their interest. But this does not happen automatically. Take of instance the case of children. It is legitimate to ask, who speaks for children? How are their interest articulated? Rights,including the Children's, are not mere endowments. Rights make sense only when they are exercised and as a result impact on human lives. For the realization of rights enabling conditions are necessary. This brings the connection between child right and governance to the fore.

HAQ's role over the years has been to fight for the realisation of child rights in India. Its work highlights the importance of governance as an enabling condition for making child rights real. HAQ has successfully made the connection between children's issues and the larger politics of development and governance.