CHILD WELFARE

DEMOGRAPHIC SITUATION
Children Constitute principle assets of any country. Childrens Development is as important as the
development of material resources and the best way to develop national human resources is to take care
of children. India has the largest child population in the world. Significant progress has been made in
many fields in assuring children their basic rights. A lot more has to be done for the health, nutrition and
education of children it is unfortunate that girls in particular face debilitating discrimination at all stages.
Therefore, specific concentration is being given to the efforts to improve the life and opportunities of the
Girl Child.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
There are several constitutional provisions for children. These include the following:
Article 14 provides that the state shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal
protection of the laws within the territory of India.
Article 15(3) provides that, Noting in this article shall prevent the State for making any special provision
for women and children.
Article 21 provides that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to
procedure established by law.
Article 21A directs the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six
to fourteen years in such a manner as the state may, by law, determine.
Article 23 prohibits trafficking of human beings and forced labour.
Article 24 prohibits employment of children below the age of fourteen years in factories, mines or any
other hazardous occupation.
Article 25-28 provides freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
Article 39 (e) and (f) provide that the State shall, in particular, direct its policies towards securing to
ensure that the health and strength of workers, men and women and tender age of children are not
abused and that the citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to the
age or strength and that the children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy
manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that the childhood and youth are protected against
exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.
Article 45 envisages that the state shall endeavor to provide early childhood care and education for all
children until they complete the age of six years.

LEGISLATIONS
There are several Legislations pertaining to children. These include the following:

THE CHILD MARRIAGE RESTRAINT ACT, 1929

The Government of India enacted the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 replacing the earlier
legislation of Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929. This legislation is armed with enabling provisions to
prohibit child marriages, protect and provide relief to victims and enhance punishment for those who
abet, promote or solemnize such marriages. The Act also calls for appointment of Child Marriage
Prohibition Officers for implementing the Act.

CHILD LABOUR (PROHIBITION AND REGULATION) AMENDMENT BILL, 2016

The Rajya Sabha unanimously passed Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2016.
The Bill seeks to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 to widen the scope of the
law against child labour and stricter punishments for violations.

Key Provisions of the Bill

I.

Prohibition of employment of children below 14 years in all occupations or processes except where child

II.

helps his family.

Addition of a new category of persons called adolescent. They are person between 14 and 18 years of

III.

age.
Prohibition of employment of adolescents in hazardous occupations as specified (mines, hazardous

IV.
V.

processes and inflammable substance).

Empowers Union Government to add or omit any hazardous occupation from the list included in the Bill.
Punishment for employing any child increased i.e. imprisonment between 6 months and two years (from
earlier 3 months-one year) or a fine of 20,000 to 50,000 Rupees (from earlier 10,000 to 20,000 Rupees)

VI.

or both.
Proposes penalty for employing an adolescent in a hazardous occupation i.e. imprisonment between 6

VII.

months and 2 years or a fine of 20,000 to 50,000 Rupees or both.

Empowers the government to make periodic inspection of places at which employment of children and

VIII.

adolescents are prohibited.

Government may confer powers on a District Magistrate (DM) to ensure that the provisions of the law are
properly carried out and implemented.

JUVENILE JUSTICE (CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN) ACT, 2015

A. The bill allows for juveniles 16 years or older to be tried as adults for heinous offences like rape and
murder. Heinous offences are those which are punishable with imprisonment of seven years or more.
B. The bill mandates setting up Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees in every district.

THE PRE-CONCEPTION AND PRE-NATAL DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUE( PROHIBITION OF SEX

SELECTION) ACT, 1994
Prohibits sex selection before or after conception and prevent misuse of pre-natal diagnostic techniques
sex determination leading to female foeticide.

THE IMMORAL TRAFFIC (PREVENTION) ACT, 1956 is the premier legislation for the prevention of
trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. In other words, prevents trafficking in women and girls for
the purpose of prostitution as an organized means of living.
THE GUARDIAN AND WARDS ACT, 1890 provides that the court must take into consideration the
welfare of the child while appointing the guardian.
THE YOUNG PERSONS(HARMFUL PUBLICATIONS) ACT, 1956 prevents the dissemination of certain
publication harmful to young persons. Harmful publication is that which tend to corrupt young persons.
Harmful publication is that which tend to corrupt a young person to commit offences or act of violence or
cruelty.

COMMISSIONS
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF THE CHILD RIGHTS
The Government notified the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act 2005 in the Gazette of India
on 20 January, 2006. The Act envisages setting up a National Commission at the National level and the
State Commissions at the State level. The National Commission for protection of child rights is a
statutory body. It was set up in 2007 under a legislation enacted by the parliament, namely, The
Commissions for Protection of the Child Rights Act 2005.

Composition of the Commission:

The Commission consisting of a Chairperson and six other members, including two women members. a
Member Secretary and other supporting staff. The Chairperson would be a person of eminence in the
field of child development. The members would be the experts in the field of child health, Education,
child care and development, juvenile justice, children with disabilities, elimination of child labour, child
psychology or sociology land laws relating to children. The officers and the staff of the Commission will
be provided by the Central Government.

Term of members:
The Chairperson and members hold office for a-term of 3 years. They are not eligible for appointment for
more than two terms. The upper age limit in the case of chairperson is 65 years and in the case of
members it is 60 years.

The Functions of the Commission are:

1. Examine and review the safeguards provided by Constitution or any law, the protection of child rights
and recommend measures for their effective implementation.
2. Present to the Central Government, annually reports upon the working those safeguards
3. Examine all factors that inhibit the enjoyment of rights of most vulnerable children and children in need
of special, care and protection.

4. Study treaties and other international instruments and undertake periodical review of existing policies,
programs and other activities on child rights and make recommendation for their effective
implementation in the bees; interest of children.
5. Undertake and promote research in the field of child rights.
6. Spread child rights literacy among various sections of the society and promote awareness.
7. lnspect any juvenile custodial home, or any other place of residence or institution meant for children for
the purpose of treatment, reformation or protection and take up with these authorities for remedial
action.

STATE COMMISSIONS FOR PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS

i.

The Act-Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act 2005 also provides that State Governments may
constitute State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights in their State and designate a State level and
other district level children's Court in their respective State.

ii.

The Act has similar provisions for State Commissions in respect of their constitution. Reporting, functions
and powers.
With the alleviation of the status of Department of Women and Child Development to an independent
Ministry headed by the Minister of State having independent charge it was necessary to change-the
above provision to make the Minister in charge of the Ministry or Department of Women and Child
Development as the Chairperson of the Selection Committee for the selection of the Chairperson of the
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

POLICIES
The National Policy for Children was adopted on 22 August 1974. This Policy lays down that the State
shall provide adequate services towards children both before and after birth and during the growing
stages for their full physical, mental arid social development.
The measures suggested include amongst others, a comprehensive health programme, supplementarynutrition for mothers and children, free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14
years, promotion of physical education and recreational activities, special consideration for children of
weaker sections like SCs and STs, prevention of exploitation of children, etc.
The Government of India adopted the National Charter for Children in 2004.
The document emphasizes Government of India's commitment to childrens rights to survival, health and
nutrition, standard of living, play and leisure, .early childhood care, education, protection of the girl child,
empowering adolescents, equality, life and liberty, name and nationality, freedom of expression, freedom

of association and peaceful assembly, the right to a family and the right to be protected from economic
exploitation and all forms of abuse.
The document also provides for protection of children in difficult circumstances, children with disabilities,
children from marginalised and disadvantaged communities, and child victims.
The document while stipulating the duties of the State and the Community towards children also
emphasizes the duties of children towards family, society and the Nation.
India acceded to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on 11h Dec., 1992 to reiterate its
commitment to the cause of children The objective of the Convention is to give every child the right to
survival and development In a healthy and congenial environment.
lndia is also a party to the Millennium Development Goals and the SAARC, Conventions on Child Welfare
and Combating Trafficking of Women and Children in SAARC Region.
National Plan of Action for Children 2005 Ministry of Women and Child Development has prepared a
National Plan of Action for Children 2005 after harmonizing the goals for children set in the UN General
Assembly Special-Session on Children held in 2002 and the monitor able targets set in the Tenth Five
Year Plan and goals for children in related Ministries/Departments. The Prime Ministers Office is quarterly
monitoring the National Plan of Action for Children 2005 on the basis of eight parameters.
These are as under:
1. Reduce lMR to below 30 per 1000 live births by 2010.
2. Reduce Child Mortality Rate to below 31 per 1000 live births by 2010. '
3. To reduce Maternal Mortality Rate to below 100 per 1,00,000 live births by 2010.
4. Universal equitable access and use of safe drinking water and improved access to sanitary means of
excreta disposal by 2010.
5. 100% rural population to have access to basic sanitation by 2012.
6. To eliminate child marriages by 2010.
7. To eliminate disability due to poliomyelitis by 2007.
8. To reduce the proportion of infants infected with HIV by 20 percent by 2007 and by 50 percent by
2010, by ensuring that 80 per cent of pregnant women have access to ante natal care. and 95 per cent
of men and women aged 1524 have access to care, counselling and other HIV and prevention services.
THE NATIONAL POLICY FOR CHILDREN, 2013
Introduction

Declaring its children as the nation's supremely important asset" in the National Policy for Children,
1974, the Government of India reiterated its commitment to secure the rights of its children by ratifying
related international conventions and treaties. These include the Declaration of the Rights of the Child,
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its Covenants, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and
its two Optional Protocols, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the
United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and
Punish Trafficking in Women and Children, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and
Cooperation in respect of Inter-Country Adoption, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women.
To affirm the Governments commitment to the rights based approach in addressing continuing and
emerging challenges in the situation of children, the Government India hereby adopts this Resolution on
the National Policy for Children, 2013.
Preamble
i.

a child is any person below the age of eighteen years;

ii.

childhood is an integral part of life with a value of its own;

iii.

children are not a homogenous group and their different needs need different responses, especially the
multi-dimensional vulnerabilities experienced children in different circumstances;

iv.

along term sustainable, multi-sectoral, integrated and inclusive approach is necessary for the overall and
harmonious development and protection of children;
Guiding Principles
(i) Every child has universal, inalienable and indivisible human rights.
(ii) Every child has the right to life, survival, development, education, protection and participation.
(iii) Mental, emotional, cognitive, social. and cultural development of the children to be addressed in
totality.
(iv) All children have equal rights and no child shall be discriminated against on grounds of religion, race,
caste, sex, place of birth, class, language, disability. social, economic or any other status.
(v) A primary concern in all decisions taken by legislative bodies, courts of administrative authorities,
public, private, social, religious or cultural institutions.
(vi) Family or family environment is most conducive for the all-round development of children.
(vii) Every child has the right to a dignified life, free from exploitation.

(viii)Children are to be protected from all forms of harm abuse, neglect, violent maltreatment and
exploitation in all settings including care institutions, schools, hospitals, crches, families and
communities
(ix) Has right to express their Views
Key priorities:
SURVIVAL, HEALTH AND NUTRITION:
The State stands committed to ensure equitable access to comprehensive and essential, preventive,
primitive, curative and rehabilitative health care, of the highest standard, for all children before, during
and after birth, and throughout the period of their growth and development. Every child has a right to
adequate nutrition and to be safe guarded against hunger, deprivation and malnutrition. The State
commits to securing this right for all children through access, provision and promotion of required
services and supports for holistic nurturing, wellbeing with nutritive attainment of all children, keeping in
view their individual needs at different stages of life in a life cycle approach.
The State shall take all necessary measures to:
1. Improve maternal health care, including antenatal care, safe delivery by skilled health personnel, post
natal care and nutritional support.
2. Secure the right of the girl child to life, survival, health and nutrition.
3. Provide universal and affordable access to services for prevention, treatment, care and management
of neo-natal and childhood illnesses and protect children from all water borne, vector borne, blood borne,
communicable and other childhood diseases.
4. Prevent disabilities, both mental and physical, through timely measures for pre-natal, pre-natal and
post-natal health and nutrition care of mother and child; provide services for early detection, treatment
and management, including interventions to minimize and prevent further disabilities discrimination
faced by children with disabilities (mental and physical), and provide services for rehabilitation and social
support.
5. Ensure availability of essential services, supports and provisions for nu attainment in a life cycle
approach, including infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, special focus on adolescent girls and
other vulnerable groups.
6. Prevent HIV infections at birth and ensure infected children receive me treatment.
7. Enforce safety standards for products and services designed for children.
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Every child has equal right to learning, knowledge and education. The State recognises its responsibility
to secure this right for every child, with due regard for special ne through access, provision and

promotion of required environment, informal; infrastructure, services and supports, towards the
development of the childs fun potential.
The State shall take all necessary measures to:
1. Provide universal and equitable access to quality Early Childhood Care Education (ECCE) to all children
below six years of age.
2. Ensure that every child In the age group of 6-14 years is in school and enjoys the fundamental right to
education as enshrined In the Constitution.
3. Promote affordable and accessible quality education up to the second level for all children.
4. Foster and support inter-sectoral networks and linkages to provide vocational training and career
counseling.
5. Ensure-that all out of school children such as child labourers, migrant children, trafficked children,
children of migrant labour, street children, child victims of alcohol and substance abuse, children in areas
of civil unrest, orphans, children with disability (mental and physical), children with chronic ailments,
married children, children of manual scavengers, children of workers, children of prisoners, etc. are
tracked, rescued, rehabilitated and have access to their right to education.
6. Address, discrimination of all forms in schools and foster equal opportunity treatment and participation
irrespective of place of birth, sex, religion, disability, language, region, caste, health, social, economic or
any other status.
7. Prioritise education for disadvantaged groups by creating enabling environment through necessary
legislative measures, policy and provisions.
8. Ensure physical safety of the child and provide safe and secure learning environment.
9. Provide access to ICT tools for equitable, inclusive and affordable education .for all children especially
in remote, tribal and hard to reach areas.
10. Promote safe and enjoyable engagement of childrens experiences with new technology.
11. Review, develop and sustain age-specific initiatives, services and programmes for safe spaces for
play, sports, recreation, leisure, cultural and scientific activities for children in neighborhoods, schools
and other institutions.
12. Ensure that Childrens health is regularly monitored through the school health programme and
arrangements are made for health and emergency care of children.
13. Provide inclusive with all facilities such as trained teachers and special educators, appropriate
pedagogy and education material, barrier-free-access for mobility, functional toilets and co-curricular
activities and autonomy and sense of dignity and self-worth.
14. Facilitate concerted efforts by local governments, non-governmental organisations/community based
organisations to map gaps in availability of educational services.
15.. Provide and promote crche and day care facilities for children of working ' mothers, mothers
belonging to, poor families, ailing mothers and single parents.

16. Promote appropriate baby feeding facilities in public places and at workplaces for working mothers in
public, private and unorganized sector.
PROTECTION
The State shall create a caring, protective and. safe environment for all children to reduce their
vulnerability in all situations and to keep them safe at all and protect all children from all forms of
violence and abuse, harm, neglect, stigma, discrimination, deprivation, exploitation including economic
exploitation and sexual exploitation abandonment, separation, abduction, sale or trafficking for any
purpose or in any to pornography, alcohol and substance abuse, or any other activity that takes undue
advantage of them, or harms their personhood or affects their development.
State shall take all necessary measure to:
1. Rehabilitation and Reintegration, in particular but not limited to, child affected by migration,
displacement, communal or sectarian violence, I; unrest, disasters and calamities, street children,
children-of sex workers children forced, into commercial sexual exploitation, abused and exploit children,
children forced into begging, children in conflict and contact with law, children in situations of labour,
children of prisoners, children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS, children with disabilities, children affected
alcohol and substance abuse children of manual scavengers and children from any other socially
excluded group, children affected by armed con and any other category of children requiring care and
protection.
2. The State shall promote child friendly jurisprudence, enact progress: legislation, build a preventive and
responsive child protection system including emergency outreach services, and promote effective
enforcement of punitive legislative and administrative measures against all forms of child abuse and
neglect to comprehensively address issues related to child protection.
3. The State shall promote and strengthen legislative, administrative and institutional redressal
mechanisms at the National and State level for the protection of child rights. For local grievances,
effective and enforcement grievance redressal mechanisms shall be developed at the programme level.

PARTICIPATION
The State has the primary responsibility to ensure that children are made aware of their rights, and
provided with an enabling environment, Opportunities and support to development and in all matters
concerning and affecting them.
The State shall take all necessary measures to:
The State shall promote and strengthen respect for the views of the child, especially-those of the girt
child, children with disabilities and of children from minority groups or marginalised communities, within

the family; community; schools and institutions; different levels of governance; as well as in judicial and
administrative proceedings that concern them.
The State shall engage all stakeholders in developing mechanisms for children to share their grievances
without fear in all settings; monitor effective implementation of childrens participation through
monitorable indicators; develop different models of child participation; and undertake research and
documentation of best practices.
Schemes Projects
Several Ministries and Departments of the Government of India are implementing various schemes and
programmes for the benefit of children.
Some of the Schemes and Programmes being implemented by the Ministry-of Women and Child
Development are as under:
INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (ICDS) SCHEME
Launched on 2"October 1975, today, ICDS Scheme represents one of the world's largest and most
unique programmes for early childhood development. ICDS is the foremost symbol of lndia's
commitment to her children- Indias response to the challenge of providing pre-school education on one
hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality,
on the other.
Objectives
The Integrated Child Development Services (lCDS) Scheme was launched in 1975 with the following
objectives.
i.

to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years;

ii.

to lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child;

iii.

to reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and School dropout;

iv.

to achieve effective coordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to
promote child development; and

v.

to enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child
through proper nutrition and health education.

vi.

To enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child
through proper nutrition and health education.
GRAMODYA YOJANA AND NUTRITION PROGRAMME FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN 51 DISTRICTS

Nutrition Component of Prime Minister Gramodya Yojana and Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls in
51 Districts being implemented with additional central assistance given by the Planning Commission,
directly and indirectly contribute to promoting nutrition of children. A National Nutrition Mission has been
set up under the chairpersonship of Hon'ble Prime Minister vide notification dated 31st July 2003 with a
view to enable policy direction to concerned Departments of the Government for addressing the problem
of malnutrition in a mission mode.
An lntegrated Programme for Street Children is being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child
Development specifically for those children who are on streets and i homeless and include the rag
picking and vagabond children. The Scheme aims at providing full and wholesome development of
children without homes and family ties. The children without homes and family ties and children
especially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation such as children of sex workers and children of pavement
dwellers are the target group for this Programme. Financial assistance is provided to the NGOs who are
eligible and working for the welfare of the street children, for Formal and Non-formal Education, Shelter
Home, Vocational Training to Children, Nutrition, health care, sanitation and hygiene, sale drinking water,
education and recreational facilities and protection against abuse and exploitation.
INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE:
The programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with a view to
providing care to children in difficult circumstances and children in conflict with the law through
Government institutions and through NGOs. Some Special features of the scheme areas:
I.

Establishment of a National Advisory Board on Juvenile Justice.

II.

Creation of a Juvenile Justice Fund.

III.

Training. orientation and sensitization of Judicial, police and NGOs responsible for implementation of JJ
Act.

IV.

Institutional care shall be used but only as a last measure by enlarging the range of suitable alternatives.

V.

Financial assistance to bring about a qualitative improvement in the existing infrastructure.

VI.

Expansion of non-institutional services such as sponsorship, foster care, probation etc as and an
alternate to institutional care.
Childline India Foundation (ClF) has been set up as a nodal organization, supported by Government
of India, to' monitor and ensure the qualitative development of the Childline service across the country.
Childline is a toll free telephone service (1098) which anyone can call for assistance in the interest of
children. It has prescribed minimum quality standards for the services to be provided by its partner
organizations that are implementing Childline programmes in various cities. of the country. lt initiates

preparatory activity that precedes the initiation of Childline service in any city. ClF is also involved in
awareness and advocacy in order to strengthen the efforts relating to child welfare.

SHISHU GREH SCHEME

The objective of the Shishu Greh Scheme is to promote adoptions within the country and to ensure
minimum standards in the care-of abandoned/orphaned/destitute children. Grant-in-Aid upto a ceiling of
Rs.6 lakh has been provided per unit of 10 children in a Shishu Greh.
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT (POCSO)
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) 2012 was formulated in order to
effectively address sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children. The Protection of Children from
Sexual Offences Act, 2012 received the Presidents assent on 19th June 2012 and was notified in the
Gazette of India on 20th June, 2012.
The Act defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age. It defines different forms of sexual
abuse, including penetrative and non-penetrative assault, as well as sexual harassment and
pornography. It deems a sexual assault to be aggravated under certain circumstances, such as when
the abused child is mentally ill or when the abuse is committed by a person in a position of trust or
authority like a family member, police officer, teacher, or doctor. The Act also casts the police in the role
of child protectors during the investigative process. Thus, the police personnel receiving a report of
sexual abuse of a child are given the responsibility of making urgent arrangements for the care and
protection of the child, such as obtaining emergency medical treatment for the child and placing the
child in a shelter home, and bringing the matter in front of the CWC, should the need arise.
INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR CHILD SERVICES
There are millions of children living in the difficult circumstances. The child protection programme in
India is shared between various Ministries, which have been implementing the schemes and programmes
to reach out to varied groups of vulnerable children with complex and diverse needs. The important
schemes and programmes for such children include Programme for Juvenile Justice, Integrated
Programme for Street Children, Shishu Grih Scheme, Scheme for Working Children in Need of Care and
Protection, General Grant-in-Aid Scheme, CHILDLINE Service, Rajiv Gandhi National crche scheme for
the children of working mothers, Pilot Project to Combat the Trafficking of women and Children for
Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Destination Areas, etc. However, experiences with the implementation
of existing programmes and polices has brought, out a large number of shortcomings in the system.
In view of the gaps identified and recommendations and suggestions received from various quarters it
has decided to combine the existing child protection schemes under one integrated scheme titled
Integrated Child Protection Scheme". The proposed scheme aims to provide for care and protection of

all the children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection. It would involve steps to
strengthen families and prevent them to breakup leading children to become homeless and without care
and protection. At the same time, children already outside the mainstream need to be provided support
beginning from emergency outreach services to final rehabilitation with their families/ society.

ROLE OF

UNICEF

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) projects are being implemented in India through Master Plan of
Operations, which is an agreement prepared after mutual consultation and consensus within the
framework of Basic Agreement signed between India and UNICEF in 1978. The Programmes are being
implemented through various Ministries and Departments dealing with children which includes Ministry
of Women and Child Development, Department of Elementary Education and Literacy, Department of
Family Welfare and NACO, Ministry .of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Labour Ministry of
Information & Broadcasting, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Department of Drinking Water
Supply (Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission).
The Ministry of Women Child Development is the nodal Ministry for coordinating the implementation of
the-Master Plan of Operations. The Ministry of Women and Child Development conducts periodic review
meetings to coordinate and monitor the implementation and expenditure of the UNICEF programmes in
India.
The MPO aims to achieve the following objectives:
(a) to empower families and communities with appropriate knowledge and skills to improve the care and
protection of children.
(b) to expand partnerships as a way to leverage resources for children and scale up interventions.
(c) to strengthen the evaluation and knowledge base of best Practices on children.
The programme contribute towards
(a) reduction in infant and maternal mortality
(b) improvements in levels of child nutrition
(e) ensuring universal elementary education
(d) enhancing child protection
(e) protection of children and adolescents from HlV/AlDS.
The major activities included in different sectoral programmes are given below:

a) Education
b) Child Development and Nutrition
c) Child Protection
d) Reproductive and Child Health
e) Childs Environment: Water, Environment and Sanitation
f)

HlV/AlDS

g) Advocacy and Partnerships

BIBLIOGRAPHY
WEBSITES
http://projectchildsave.org/
http://www.ifcw.org/
http://www.childlineindia.org.in/child-welfare-committee.htm
http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/essay/women-and-child-welfare-schemes-in-india/39589/
http://ncpcr.gov.in/

BOOKS
Family And Child Welfare, A.K. Singh, Centrum Press, 2011
Child Abuse and Culture: Working with Diverse Families, Lisa Aronson Fontes, Jon R. Conte, 1st
Edition, Guilford Publications, Inc.