KSCPCR joins hands with ChildFund India

Releases Child Rights and Protection IEC materials for larger awareness and impact

Bengaluru 3^rd May 2017. KSCPCR joins hands with ChildFund India – Releases Child Rights and Protection IEC materials for larger awareness and impact on 2nd May 2017, Bengaluru – Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) in association with ChildFund India released a set of 9 information education and communication (IEC) materials on Child Rights and protection issues at the KSCPCR office at Krishi Bhavan.

It is estimated that around 40 per cent of India’s children are vulnerable to or experiencing difficult circumstances. There is, therefore, an urgent case for strengthening child protection measures so that the rights of the children in India are protected. The neglect of child protection issues results in outright violation of the rights of the children and increases their vulnerability to abuse, neglect and exploitation. This is recognized by the Constitution of India and a number of International Conventions, Standards and Declarations, including the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1989. The Government of India ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1992 and has since taken up many policy initiatives and interventions to protect children.

In spite of the favourable policy framework and laws available to ensure children protection from various abuses, increasing number of instances are being reported in the media about children in need of protection.

The Integrated Child Protection Scheme is designed to significantly contribute to the realization of Government/State responsibility for creating a system that will efficiently and effectively protect children. It is based on cardinal principles of “protection of child rights” and “best interest of the child”.

The release event saw unveiling of the information education and communication (IEC) materials developed to generate awareness on various components of Child protection, such as early marriage, child abuse, corporal punishment, bullying, child trafficking, child labour, gender balance, Roles and responsibilities of the parents and other stakeholders, Child protection system and mechanism, and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. These materials will be distributed among all the government officials, government schools and government agencies with an expectation to reach a population of over 50,000 including children across Karnataka, along with other stakeholders of ChildFund India and the communities it operates in the state.

The set of information education and communication (IEC) materials was released by Ms. Krupa Alva, Chairperson, KSCPCR and Ms. Neelam Makhijani, Country Director and CEO.

Child Protection is an integral part of ChildFund India’s program strategy. ChildFund India places special emphasis on child protection issues to prevent violence and exploitation against children in India and all over the world. ChildFund India’s new Country Strategy 2020 focuses on setting up of sustainable community structures as protection mechanisms.

ChildFund India works in tandem with communities, the government, academic institutions and corporates to support children and their families as well as strengthen child protection systems.

“ChildFund India believes in utilizing its experience and expertise to support governments’ efforts to provide effective services to children and their families. ChildFund India works with Government to develop solutions to fulfill community needs and gain access to new resources. We believe, when an NGO’s outreach efforts and Government’s resources come together, it makes a better impact. Under our approach of strengthening the systems we are making several efforts in collaboration with the government; this event with the KSCPCR is one such initiative,” quotes Neelam Makhijani, Country Director and CEO of ChildFund India.

Through this collaboration, ChildFund India attempts to initiate a campaign to generate awareness at a larger scale. This platform will also provide ChildFund an opportunity to reach various other forums in the realm of Child protection.

ChildFund India is working on the same lines with the state government of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu striving to spread awareness about child rights and protection issues and laws among as many people as possible. Quote by Krupa Alva, Chairperson, KSCPCR – “Children are like glass, they are fragile so handle them with care, as they are future of our country.

About ChildFund India

ChildFund India, a local entity of ChildFund International, strives to ensure that deprived, excluded and vulnerable children have the capacity to improve their lives and become young adults, parents and leaders who inspire lasting and positive change in their communities. ChildFund India has been representing the voices of underserved children in India since 1951. It works in over 60 districts across 14 states and two Union Territory. Through long-term partnerships with grassroots NGOs and direct implementation, it annually reaches over 2 million children, youth and their families in more than 6000 communities/ villages.