Anganwadi to play key role in assessing ‘child risk’ families

KOZHIKODE: Anganwadis have a significant role to play in identifying child risk families in the state, a project being undertaken by social justice department as a part of the Center's integrated child protection scheme (ICPS).

The scheme puts thrust on the prevention of all types of child abuse within the family rather than taking action after the incident.

“Currently, what we have been following is to initiate action after an incident is reported. It is always better to go for preventive action. That is what is envisaged under the scheme,” said Malappuram district child protection officer (DCPO) Sameer Machingal.

Anganwadis will collect each and every details of a child. Currently, these centres are entrusted with supplying nutritious food packets to children under six and to pregnant ladies in their vicinity.

“Anganwadi system would be streamlined to collect the details of children in every family including that of migrants. Through the comprehensive data, we can identify risk families, where children are in danger inside the family,” said a top official in the social justice department.

Committees at district, block, and gram panchayat levels would be formed to monitor closely the implementation of the project.

The district level committee will be headed by DCPO and district collector; block committee by child development project officer (CDPO) and block panchayat president and gram panchayat committee comprises of ICDS supervisor and gram panchayat president.

In Kozhikode, committees were formed in Melady and Kunnamangalam blocks. In Malappuram, 15 block panchayats and more than 30 gram panchayats have already established committees.