MARGAO: The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has released the “Guidance Document for Bal Sabhas,” which serves as a comprehensive manual for organizing and conducting Bal Sabhas across villages and municipalities in Goa.
The Bal Sabha is envisioned as a democratic forum where children can express their concerns, ideas, and suggestions directly to local governing bodies. This innovative platform is not only about listening to children but actively involving them in decision-making processes that affect their lives and well-being.
GSCPCR has urged the Directorate of Panchayat and the Directorate Municipal Administration through their respective directors, to disseminate this guidance document to all the panchayats/ and municipalities in Goa with a request to conduct at least two Bal Gram Sabhas per year, adhering to the outlined guidelines.
The commission has also mandated that each panchayat and municipality submit a compliance report within 30 days of conducting its Bal Gram Sabha, detailing the proceedings and outcomes.
“This measure is aimed at monitoring the effectiveness of the initiative and ensuring that the voices of children translate into actionable insights and improvements in their communities,” GSCPR Chairperson Peter F Borges said.
“In a world where the voices of children are often overshadowed, the Bal Sabhas stand as a beacon of hope, promising a future where every child’s opinion is a cornerstone in the edifice of our society. By integrating the four cardinal rights of survival, development, protection, and participation, we are laying down the foundation for a society that not only listens to its children but also respects and acts on their views,” Borges elaborated.
The chairperson added that this document is also aimed at strengthening child protection systems at the grassroots level in Goa.
