PANJIM: The Goa Pro Child Network, a network of civil society organisations and child rights advocates, working for protection of children has warned that a number of critical children’s rights issues must be urgently addressed by the government to prevent worsening impacts on the most vulnerable children.
The Network pointed out that the lack of prioritisation of children’s rights and their voices in vital policy and legislative decisions, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has left a lot to be desired.
In the last year, they said that issues such as rising exclusions from school, child poverty, side-lining of children’s basic needs and development like their right to feel safe and be protected from abuse, and have a roof over their head and play, has been fallout of this miss governance in Goa.
The Network opined that children are at risk of falling into the control of criminals seeking to exploit them and puts their future, welfare and safety in danger.
The Network expressed concern about the non-formulation and notification of ‘sponsorship scheme’ as required under the Juvenile Justice Act, the absence of a provision of supplementary support under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme to families to meet medical, nutritional, educational and other needs of their children with a view to improving their quality of life.
They further stated that the lack of proper planning despite provisions under ICPS, and timely sending of budget proposals for utilisation of ICPS funds has resulted in rising numbers of children needing care/ protection.
