NGOs to come on board under child-protection plan

AMRITSAR: Expanding their programme to not just rescue and rehabilitate, but also educate and empower children through legal service, the District Child Protection Cell (DPCU)is planning to channelise all possible resources into implementing the child-protection laws.

With several preventive and rehabilitation measures in mind, the child protection cell is working to ensure effective child rights implementation in Amritsar. photo: vishal kumar

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 25

Expanding their programme to not just rescue and rehabilitate, but also educate and empower children through legal service, the District Child Protection Cell (DPCU)is planning to channelise all possible resources into implementing the child-protection laws. Taking an integrated approach, the DCPU has proposed to register non-profitable organisations working in fields like the All-India Pingalwara Charitable Society, the Central Khalsa Orphanage, the Missionaries of Charity and the District Red Cross Society under the cell to ensure that all aspects of rehabilitation are taken care of.

The task force has visited several special homes and NGOs working to rehabilitate, educate and provide financial independence to rescued children and is keeping a tab on the legal infrastructure required for implementing the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act).

“We are focused on making this a collaborative effort between the District Legal Service Authority, the administration and independent organisations. Till now, children are either sent to boys’ home in Hoshiarpur or girls’ home in Jalandhar. The registration will help us work closely in association with these organisations to provide for the education, medical and legal expenses of the rescued children,” said Perneet Kaur Sandhu, District Child Protection Officer.

The move also aims to create more adoption channels for the young children through coordination and legal support. “We had recently conducted a workshop on adoption laws and requirements for independent agencies to make them understand the details. We also plan to work with the District Red Cross Society in this regard,” she said.

The DCPU had recently found a six-year-old girl abandoned in a temple, who was later provided shelter at the Missionaries of Charity at Gumtala Road. To make their programme effective, the DCPU is also empowering children about child rights and laws under the POCSO Act. “We have visited several schools in the city and border villages to conduct seminars on child-protection laws. Inviting teachers and parents for better involvement with their children helps them understand the legal details better,” says Perneet.