The Need for Coordination Among Community-Based Stakeholders for Child Protection

By Uttama Surve

Coordinator, Uttama Child Protection Awareness Program and Protection Organization

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👧 Introduction

“Child protection isn't just a responsibility; it's a commitment we all must make to ensure the safety and well-being of every child.”

As a 14-year-old coordinator of the 🌈 Uttama Child Protection Awareness Program and Protection Organization, I believe every child has the right to grow up in a safe, supportive environment. My father, Aniruddha Surve, a committed Para-Legal Volunteer (PLV), has inspired me to stand for child protection and help create a network of responsible stakeholders across communities.

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🔷 Key Stakeholders in Child Protection

🛡️ 1. Child Protection Committee (CPC)

• Formed at the village/ward level.

• Includes community leaders, teachers, health workers & child representatives.

• Roles:

• Raise awareness on child protection issues

• Identify and support children at risk

• Report cases to police, DCPU, or CWC when needed

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🏫 2. School Management Committee (SMC)

• 18 members (Primary) / 16 (Secondary); majority are parents (50% women)

• Roles:

  • Monitor school environment and child attendance

  • Prevent abuse and rights violations

  • Create a child-friendly, protective atmosphere in schools

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👭 3. Shaurya Dal

• Women & girls (15–45 years) form this voluntary group

• 4 Committees:

  1. Girls' Education

  2. Health & Hygiene

  3. Economic Empowerment

  4. Prevention of Violence and Superstition

• Role: Advocate for rights, intervene in harmful practices like child marriage

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👧 4. Children & Adolescents’ Groups

• Children & youth are central to identifying and solving issues

“Children are not just beneficiaries — they are agents of change.”

• These groups should be consulted and involved in protection strategies

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👩‍👩‍👧 5. Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

• Focused on savings, income, and development

• Can reach every household, detect early signs of child risk

• Serve as a community-based safety network

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🔊 6. Youth Groups

• Spread awareness and challenge social norms that harm children

• Help report violations and ensure follow-up

• Strong allies for CPC, Shaurya Dal, and Panchayats

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🚫 What Community Stakeholders Should Never Do

🔴 Red Alert Zone – Actions to strictly avoid:

• ❌ Physically punish or harm a child

• ❌ Use abusive or shaming language

• ❌ Discriminate or show favoritism

• ❌ Develop exploitative relationships

• ❌ Be alone with a child in private spaces

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👥 Coordination is the Key

🌀 Imagine this protection chain working together:

• CPC + SMC + Shaurya Dal + Youth Groups

• Report & Support

• Panchayat / Police / CWC

• Protect the Child & Prevent Future Risk

✅ Community Example:

• A suspected child marriage is flagged.

• Shaurya Dal raises it.

• CPC informs the Panchayat.

• CWC or police intervenes.

• The child is protected.

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💬 Slogan

“Awareness is the power of children and freedom from exploitation.”

 

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📢 Call to Action

Let’s come together to:

✔ Support every child’s right to protection
✔ Raise awareness in every ward and village
✔ Act on every threat before it becomes harm

“One voice, one action, can change a child's life forever.”

 

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📞 Contact for Help & Support

👤 Contact Person	📞 Phone Number
Mr. Aniruddha Surve (PLV)	9827399236
Child Helpline	1098
Bhagwan Das Sahu	9329756455
Palavi Porwal (Chairperson, CWC)	9826347009

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