The new Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) recently conducted a stakeholders’ convergence meeting on child protection, focusing on inter-agency coordination, timely referrals, rehabilitation and stronger child protection mechanisms. These are important steps towards ensuring children’s safety. Goa has 191 panchayats and 14 municipal bodies, which are required to constitute Village Child Committees (VCCs). However, in many cases, these committees appear to exist only on paper for government records. I appeal to the GSCPCR and the Department of Women and Child Development to organise proper training programmes for VCC members. These committees, established locally under the Goa Children’s Act, can play an important role in identifying and addressing child protection concerns, but their effectiveness depends on proper training and awareness. Child safety should be a priority in every village and school. VCCs can work as an extended arm of the GSCPCR by creating awareness and reporting violations. Local bodies should also be sensitised about issues such as liquor outlets near schools, inappropriate advertisements and ensuring children’s participation in Gram Panchayat Development Plans and Bal Sabhas.
GREGORY E D'SOUZA, Siolim
