MARGAO: In a resounding call to action, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has issued a scathing indictment of the State’s failing child protection services.
The Commission’s Chairperson, Peter F Borges, in an impassioned letter to the Goa Government’s Chief Secretary, has laid bare the systemic neglect and dire state of child welfare and protection in Goa. GSCPCR has issued directions for the immediate convening of a stakeholder meeting within a week, calling for radical reform to address the crisis.
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“This is a moral imperative. The eyes of our children, full of hope and seeking justice, are upon us. We cannot—and must not—let them down,” said Borges, indicating the Commission’s readiness to escalate matters judicially if necessary.
“We are confronted with a crisis that cannot be ignored. To do so would be to forsake the children of Goa, condemning them to a future devoid of the safety, care, and opportunities they rightfully deserve,” Borges added.
The letter claimed the system is in shambles, which was reflective of their collective failure. The commission outlined a series of egregious failures, from the neglect in setting up essential frameworks for Mission Vatsalya to the dire state of Childline services and the crumbling infrastructure supporting Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs).
“We have watched, frustrated, and betrayed, as our systems meant to protect the most vulnerable crumbled from within due to pervasive inertia and disregard,” Borges remarked.
He lamented that similar calls made in the past for overall reviews had been ignored. Highlighting the profound fiscal neglect, the Commission criticised the glaring disparity in funding allocation.
“Amidst the abundance of financial resources for myriad sectors, why do we falter in prioritising the protection and well-being of our children?” Borges asked.
On that note, the letter brought to light a particularly grave concern involving the financial and operational neglect of Childline services.
“The relentless dedication of the 24/7 Childline team has gone unpaid for over eight agonising months, while operational negligence looms large, putting at risk the continuity of this critical service and, with it, the safety of countless vulnerable children,” Borges asserted
The letter further focused upon the challenges faced by the Commission itself, hindered by bureaucratic obstacles, financial constraints, and a lack of support from the State government. “Our efforts to champion the cause of children’s rights and safety are continually obstructed, underscoring a disconcerting indifference towards the welfare and protection of Goa’s children,” he said.
He hoped the letter would serve not just as a warning but as an ultimatum to the State government.
