UNITED FOR CHILD RIGHTS

Programmes

About

TIMELINE: From 1st October 2019 to 31st December 2022

Caritas India, since its inception in 1962 strives to create a protective and empowering environment for children from marginalized communities, in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Odisha, West Bengal, and Assam, focusing on local issues of disaster risk reduction, education, malnutrition, child marriage, peace building, trafficking, and child labour. Caritas India’s partners in West Bengal have facilitated “Child Labour Free Tea Gardens” and “Child Friendly Police Stations” in Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur and 24 Parganas (North) districts’, apart from instituting Children’s Clubs and Vigilance Committees that report cases on child labour and activating Village and Block Level Child Protection Units. Caritas India partners are recognized as resource agencies by the District Child Protection Units, providing training to officials of these bodies. Presently, Caritas India is implementing programme namely, ‘Surokhit Shaishav’ in six districts of West Benga; including Darjeeling (Siliguri), Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Murshidabad, (U) Dinajpur and 24 Parganas (North), comprising 25 Revenue blocks, 41 Gram Panchayats and 164 villages in West Bengal. The programme aims to work towards the abolition of child labour in all forms in the state by establishing effective child protection systems and promoting children’s rights to education, inclusive development and social participation.

Implementing Partners:

  • 1. Anugalaya Darjeeling Dio. Social service society.
  • 2. Bal Suraksha Abhiyan Trust.
  • 3. Seva Kendra Siliguri.
  • 4. Social Welfare Institute Raigunj.
  • 5. Krishnagar Cathedral Charitable Service Society.
  • 6. Suprava Panchashila Mahila Uddyog Samiti.
  • 7. Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre.

Geographical Reach: State – West Bengal; District: Darjeeling (Siliguri), Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Murshidabad, (U) Dinajpur and 24 Parganas (North); Block : 25, Village:  164

Demographic Reach:

Sl. No Content Total
1 Total Number of States 1
1 Total Number of villages 164
2 Total Number of Gram Panchayat 41
3 Total Number of Blocks 25
4 Total Number of Districts 6
5 Total covered Population 1,29,180
6 Total Households 50812
7 Male & Female (population) (M-75,302) (F-53,878)

Highlights of the Program:

  • Children of particularly disadvantaged groups exploited by debt-bondage and serfdom are freed from forced labor and are psychologically and socially rehabilitated.
  • Community Level Committees control and combat child labour and promote child well-being at the village, community, and district levels.
  • Legal action against the exploitation of child labour is initiated by the police in cooperation with state authorities and Child Protection Systems.
  • Multi-stakeholder coordination developed that is functioning and institutionally anchored between school administrations, state administration, police, and focal points for victims of child labour and abuse (Child Line), political bodies, and children’s rights groups.
  • Improved implementation of the “National Child Labour Project” in the state, with state authorities assisted in developing better rehabilitation programs for children.

Impact

  • 315 cases of child protection issues were reported like family at risk, trafficking, drop out, Pocso, CCL, Medial aid, shelter, child marriage, child labour, child certificate, missing and cyber crime. Follow up action were taken for all cases reported by the programme team.
  • 206 cases on child protection issues reported through CRPD like drop outs, child labour, child marriage, disability, abuse, medical aid, family at risk, and emotional support. Follow up action were taken for all cases coming under CRPD.
  • 235 community safety mechanisms got established like mothers collectives, child clubs, VLCPC, BLCPC and Teachers and Drivers Associations.
  • 32 children (14-18 years) enrolled in open/regular school while 4 dropout children (14-18 yrs) got enrolled in vocational training institutes – beauticians and handicraft.
  • 148 children got rescued/freed children from child labour from the age group of 7 – 14 years.
  • 40 Help Desks at schools got installed at schools to generate awareness on the issue of child rights.
  • 58 School Management Committees in 58 schools were made functional through the regular meeting.
  • 85 child protection issues addressed by community level child protection systems. It is little less but community level CPC such as children clubs, mother groups, samaj, and youth groups were able to address the issues of child protection even during the pandemic when local government mechanisms were crippled due to the lockdown.
  • 68 collective actions on child protection issues like child marriage, missing, neglect and abuse taken by CBOs at the village level by reporting it to the Partner helpline number, stopping child marriage and informing CPC for action.
  • 1078 community-based organizations are functional in the operational village areas to discuss and proactively take steps on issues related child protection.
  • 898 enterprises made a memorandum not to engage children in any form of labour. Sticker on their shops – enforcing that they do not keep child labour and if at all they observe any activity they shall report to the concerned authorities.
  • 74 children collectives formed in the implementing villages.
  • 150 police personnel and Civic Police Volunteers oriented and sensitized with training on child rights, laws and Acts. They are now skilled to handle children’s cases in a sensitive manner.
  • As a part of Child Rights Week, Child Leaders from 6 districts, prepared an eleven-point Charter of Demands and presented to Mrs. Ananya Chakraborty, the Chairperson, West Bengal Commission for protection of child rights (WBCPCR). This was well taken by the Chairperson, on the request of child leaders to reopen schools, she promised to speak and share their concerns with line departments.
  • Using Theatre in Education (TiE) as a medium, children showcased their plight on child abuse, missing and child marriage, and child labour in the Annual Children Conclave. The Annual Children Conclave (TiE )event was organised at Rotary Sadan, where Assistant Secretary SCPCR, UNICEF, and other INGOs were present. Here the children showcased their plight on child abuse, missing and child marriage, and child labour by using theatre as a medium.

Events

  • In the current year – a Quarterly Review meeting was organised on 20th and 21st April 22 followed by a capacity building session on National Child Labour Project (NCLP) – key strategies and role of State CPC and Civil Society at Kolkata.
  • Mr Peter Seidel’s, Caritas Germany visit. Partner meet at Darjeeling followed by Regional Inclusive Children Parliament Meet on 20th and 21st May 2022.
  • Caritas India Workshop on Proposal Development for three states– West Bengal, Assam and Uttar Pradesh at Kolkata on 14th to 16th June 2022. The focus being on prevention protection and development aspects. Child labour, child marriage, child trafficking and education were the key areas that evolved out of the brainstorming sessions. It aided nine partners to finalise the area for future intervention.

Media

Resources