Kerala - Thrissur   

Action plan for child welfare

THRISSUR: Data presented at a workshop organised by the District Council for Child Welfare here on Thursday shows that 25 children had committed suicide in Thrissur district last year. The reasons vary from failure in examinations to family discords.

According to police records, sexual harassment topped the list of crimes against children; 19 cases were registered last year. This disturbing trend has led the District Council for Child Welfare to form an action plan to take its activities to grassroots.

To make society more child-friendly, support teams would be formed in every panchayat. Resource persons would assist local bodies in evolving child welfare schemes. The Kerala Institute of Local Administration would train them in tackling children’s issues.

Participating at the workshop, District Collector V.K. Baby said the ultimate goal of the project was to enable children to live a dignified childhood. “Child development activities have been going on at various stages. These isolated efforts have to be brought on a common platform,” the collector said.

As the most vulnerable group in society, only a sustained commitment would equip children to withstand the challenges of the future. Funds would not be a limitation for child welfare schemes, he said. In a district where there is a sizable population of migrant labourers, social workers have a tough task ahead. To begin with, the project would prepare a detailed status report of children on different parameters such as health, nutrition, education, infrastructure, atrocities and violation of rights. According to statistics available with Social Welfare Department 1,394 children under the age of six have been suffering from physical or mental problems in the district. Malnutrition was the one of the main causes for deformities.

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Action plan for child welfare

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