The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), Government of India organised the second one day Regional Symposium on Child Protection, Child Safety and Child Welfare at Bhopal today. There were three participating states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. The Symposium was attended by over 1500 representatives from Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), Members of Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC) and Anganwadi Workers. The programme is part of a series of regional symposiums to be held across the country to raise awareness and outreach about child protection, child safety and child welfare issues.

The Symposium was graced by Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Union  Minister, Women and Child Development, Government of India along with Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai,  Minister of State, Women and Child Development, Government of India, Shri Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, Additional Secretary, Women and Child Development, Government of India, and Shri Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

The focus of the programme was on the Amendments in the Juvenile Justice Act, Rules. Its impact on adoption processes were highlighted in the experience shared by Prospective Adoptive Parents who received a quick resolution post the Amendment in September, 2022.

NCPCR Chairperson, Shri Priyank Kanoongo shared how this day will be marked in the pages of history because from the first responders at the village level to the officials of the Government of India and even the Union Minister were present under one roof for the betterment of the children of India.

Additional Secretary, MoWCD, Shri Sanjeev Kumar Chadha addressed the event by highlighting the success of Child Helpline in various states and focused on the implementation of the principle of “No Child is left” to bring about the betterment of every child in the country.

 Minister of State, MoWCD, Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai highlighted the objectives of “Mission Vatsalya” which aims to pursue convergence strategy at intra-ministry and inter-ministry level for the efficient and effective outcome for the objective of child welfare and protection. He further threw light on the Digital Platform for various MIS related to children in difficult circumstances which include missing, orphaned, abandoned, and surrendered children has been developed by MoWCD  in consultation with States/UTs which may be used by SCPS, DCPU, CWC, JJB, CCIs, SJPU as well as citizens through respective dashboard for all MIS purposes.

  Union Minister, MoWCD, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani, expressed gratitude to the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, State Child Commissions, and CWCs for their efforts in facilitating the return of 1,450,000 children from CCI to their homes.

Prior to the change in the law, 900 adoption cases were pending in various courts across the country. With the change in law brought about by the Government, the district administration was given responsibility, and since then, more than 2250 adoptions have been successfully processed across the country in a year.

About 8 to 9 thousand children were safeguarded nationwide about 13–14 years ago. Today, the Government of India is providing non-institutional care for about 65,000 children nationwide.

We will offer ₹74 crore to such daughters (victims) across the country, and provide them Rs 4,000 per month. Further arrangements will be made for their skill development and not only after 18 years of age, we will keep protecting such daughters till the age of 23 years.

Through this event, the successful interventions under Mission Vatsalya were disseminated.

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SS/AKS