Panel to secure child protection mechanism

RANCHI : The Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (JSCPCR) identified eight districts which need major strengthening of child protection mechanism as they are highly affected by human trafficking. The vulnerable districts are Simdega, Gumla, Chaibasa, Khunti, Lohardaga, Godda, Dumka and Latehar.


JSCPCR chairperson Arti Kujur said, "These districts are highly affected when it comes to human trafficking. Moreover, there are a number of other cases of child rights violations being registered in these districts which include child marriage, corporal punishment and others."

She added, "There is a strong need for strengthening of child protection mechanism in these selected district and we are planning to do it within the next six months."

A team of JSCPCR, headed by Kujur, is visiting these districts and conducting meetings with government officers as well as members of civil societies working there. Till date, the first meeting of four districts, including Khunti, Simdega, Chaibasa and Gumla has been conducted. The next meeting will be conducted in Godda after October 20.

"The meetings are focused on how the government and the civil society members can work in collaboration to fight for child rights. Usually, people complain about what is not being done, but this time we are focusing on how things can be improved during the meetings," Kujur said.

Deputy commissioner of Gumla, Shashi Ranjan said, "The meeting turned out to be very successful for motivating the stakeholders. We have decided to organize similar meetings on last Friday of every month to take steps to protect our children."

During the meetings, responsibilities are fixed at every level, right from NGOs to school teachers, BDOs and police.

"The police have been directed to tack down the traffickers with the help of locals while the teachers are being directed to immediately notify the district administration if they find a child missing from school for a couple of days," Kujur said.

Reports of these meetings which will be conducted every month will be sent to the JSCPCR chairperson.

"Protection of child rights cannot be done single-handedly. It needs a collaborative effort from every section of society. These meetings will bring the stakeholders together and better work can be done," Kujur added.