Strengthening Child Protection: A United Effort for a Safer Future

A significant event focused on Child Protection and Welfare was held as a joint initiative to strengthen the Caring Community Group. The District Administration of Kalaburagi, Don Bosco Society Gulbarga, District Legal Service Authority, DCPO, Childline 1098, District Labour Office, Child Safety Net, School Education Authority, 112 Emergency Services, Just Rights for Children Margadarshi. The collaboration aimed to establish a comprehensive support system for the protection, safety, and welfare of children in Kalaburagi district.
The Caring Community Group event in Kalaburagi at Don Bosco Society Gulbarga was graced by the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Sri Vishwaradhya, Chair Person of District Child Welfare Committee, Sri Sharanappa Hallimani, District Labour Officer, Fr. Kuriakose, Director of Don Bosco Society Gulbarga, Sri Basavaraj, Project Officer of NIC, Sri Anand Rao, Director of Marghadarshi NGO, Sri Basavaraj Tengali, Coordinator of Child Line, Smt. Siddamma Kattimani, District Child Welfare Committee Member, Kumari Ellubai, Child Welfare Committee Member, and Smt. Geeta, Coordinator of Don Bosco Society, Gulbarga, along with dedicated ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers, who all came together to foster a supportive community.
Opening Address by Smt. Geeta (Coordinator, Don Bosco Society, Gulbarga): While addressing the event, Smt. Geeta spoke on Child Safety and Protection, emphasizing the need for a strong safety net for children, particularly those in vulnerable situations. She highlighted the focus of the event on raising awareness about critical child welfare issues in the region, specifically drawing attention to vulnerable areas such as Ring Road, Bus Stand, APMC, and residential zones like Indira Nagar, Bapu Nagar, and Panchasheel Nagar.
She emphasized the role of various community stakeholders, including Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Auto Drivers, and Key Holders, in spreading awareness about child safety and rights. She also acknowledged the contribution of the 7CCG (Caring Community Groups) and SDMC (School Development and Management Committee) in promoting child protection efforts. Smt. Geeta further stressed the importance of Right to Education (RTE) and ensuring every child has access to quality education.
Sri Sharanappa Hallimani (District Labour Officer, Kalaburagi), he emphasized the need for a lasting legacy; urging community members to ensure their actions would be remembered beyond their lifetime. He praised the efforts of ASHA and Anganwadi workers in combating child labor and promoting social welfare. He also highlighted various welfare schemes aimed at supporting vulnerable communities, including:
• Vidhava Vetana: Pension scheme for widows
• 1200 Rupees for Old People: Financial assistance program for senior citizens
• Construction Workers Scheme: Welfare for construction workers
• Smart Card for Car and Auto Drivers: Digital identification for drivers
Kumari Ellubai (Child Welfare Committee Member), she spoke passionately about the need to protect children from child labor and child marriage, emphasizing that the Child Welfare Department is committed to providing resources and support to ensure the safety and well-being of every child in the community.
Sri Basavaraj (Project Officer, NIC – Non-Institutional Care), he addressed ASHA and Anganwadi workers, referring to them as the “soldiers” in the fight for children’s protection. He highlighted their crucial role in the child safety net and stressed the importance of community engagement through platforms like Gram Sabha and Primary Zones. Reflecting on past practices, he noted that teachers once visited the homes of irregular students, but this is no longer the case. He also spoke about the importance of schemes such as Single Parent Support, Matrutva Yojane, and Child Adoption in ensuring child welfare.
Sri Anand Rao (Director, Marghadarshi NGO), he highlighted the importance of caring for children and stressed the significant roles of ASHA and Anganwadi workers in safeguarding children’s rights. He also underscored the responsibility of Gram Panchayat members in preventing child marriage, child labor, and malnutrition. He pointed out that today’s children are today’s citizens, urging the Caring Community Group to work collaboratively to foster child development and ensure a brighter future for children.
Sri Basavaraj Tengali (Coordinator, Child Line), he emphasized the critical role of the Child Line helpline (1098), urging the community to immediately report cases of child marriage and child labor. He discussed the importance of the Child Safety Net in protecting vulnerable children and ensuring their rights are respected.
Smt. Siddamma Kattimani (District Child Welfare Committee Member), she spoke on the urgent need for child protection, emphasizing that safeguarding children’s rights requires collective efforts from the entire community. She called for everyone to take responsibility for the protection of children in their surroundings.
Sri Visharadhya (Chair Person, District Child Welfare Committee), he focused on the roles of ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and teachers in protecting children and raising awareness about the Child Line helpline (1098). He pointed out that child labor and child marriage are largely driven by poverty, with girl child marriages being more prevalent than those involving boys. He reiterated the significance of the Right to Education (RTE) and called for ensuring that all children, regardless of gender, have access to education and a safer future.
At the end of the event, the Caring Community Group participants came together to engage in a meaningful discussion and united to form a human chain. They collectively pledged to protect the rights of children and work towards a safer environment for every child in the community.