Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA) along with the District Women and Child Development Office and 2 other NGOs recently launched a Ward Level Child Protection Committee (WLCPC) in Mumbai. Located in Ward No. 135 of Mumbai i.e. M-East Ward, the committee will be covering the communities of Indira Nagar and Janta Nagar in Mandala, Mankhurd. The committee has been formed in collaboration with the District Child Protection Unit under the guidance of the District Women and Child Development Officer, Mumbai Suburban District. The NGO and the Maharashtra government are also planning to replicate this model across all 15 wards in Mumbai in the coming years.
The new committee was launched in the presence of District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), Ms. Meera Gudile, CDPO, Mr Haribhau Hake, District Women and Child Development Officer Mr. Sharad Kurhade from the District Women and Child Development Office as well as Dr. Nayreen Daruwalla, Programme Director, SNEHA. All dignitaries are a part of this committee that aims to function as a cooperative forum bringing together governmental and non-governmental entities. Aligning with the Government of Maharashtra Resolution (2014), the Child Protection Committee (CPC) will enhance child safety and well-being by setting clear objectives. This includes preventing abuse, ensuring timely interventions, and fostering a supportive ecosystem for children in need within the community.
Speaking on the launch, Dr. Daruwalla said, “The overarching goal of the committee is to secure freedom from violence for children residing in urban settlements. We would like to emphasize on the critical need to create safe environments where children can thrive and grow without fear or threat.”
Smita Sequeira, Associate Programme Director, Prevention of Violence against Children, SNEHA and one of the leaders spearheading this movement for ward-level committees said, “Currently, there are several factors leading to violence against children. This includes different forms of disciplining practices and cultural norms in relation to overt and covert forms of violence against children. We are striving to improve parent-child communications and tracking progress towards mitigating violence. Through this committee, we would like to strategize and enhance the overall safety and protection of vulnerable children in urban informal settings.”
Some of the committee objectives includes the following:
– To introduce Baal Sansad cabinet members to the WLCPC members and enhance child participation in the committee’s activities
– To instill accountability among authorities for prioritizing children’s welfare and implementing effective interventions
– To develop and implement strategies to enhance support for CPCs at the ward level
– To emphasize child protection as a collective responsibility requiring combined action from all stakeholders
For the initial action points, the new committee will work towards sustainable solutions for children in Ward No. 135 to address issues such as substance abuse, lack of gardens and playgrounds as well as child safety and protection issues.
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