A sincere effort was made to encourage the Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) to be more proactive in the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) to preserve the best interest of the child by fostering child rights. The duration of survival of the child, right to life, right to inclusion and protection were some of the important topics discussed in the workshop.
The two-day workshop was organised jointly by the Women Welfare Department, UP Government and SATHI, an organisation working for children in difficult situations. It was attended by newly elected CWC members from 71 districts of UP and Superintendents of government homes that house children in need of care and protection and those in conflict with law.
Experts like Bharati Sharma, former Chairperson CWC New Delhi and BBL Srivastava, Vice Chairman Uttar Raksha Avam Punarvasan Kendra (Protection and Rehabilitation) interacted and shared their experiences on how working of the CWC can be more effective in the state.
The impetus more on preserving the best interest of the child by fostering the rights of the child, the experts at the workshop discussed at length survival of the child, right to life, right to inclusion and protection.
Says Bharati Sharma, social activist and former chairperson CWC, New Delhi, “Seventy-five percent of our work is done through the child welfare committee if the four basics rights of survival, protection, right to life and inclusion and ensured for a child in distress. But to do that we have to keep in mind the best interest of the child and create a child friendly environment to gain the trust of the child.”
Rajashekhar, Programme Officer (UP and New Delhi) SATHI said, “Awareness among the CWC members about its duties is a must as the focus of these committees on child rights issues is missing. Most members don’t know the rules and most do not have a background of having worked in child rights and protection issues. Making matters worse is the fact that the related NGOs working in this field is not as per the JJ Act and CWC cannot take relevant action as they are not aware of the rights as members as well. Thus we decided to organise this sensitisation workshop for CWC members.”
(CNS)
