Malappuram child rights activists see hope at grassroots

KOZHIKODE: The Malappuram child protection unit (DCPU)  has decided to approach grassroots-level people for the protection of  the rights of over 16 lakh children in the district. A ‘Child protection voluntary group’ will  be formed in each block to ensure public participation.  “The common people's support is vital in ensuring child rights. The district unit recommended the novel initiative  to  the government  which has directed to make it state-wide,” said district child protection officer Samir Machingal.  The people will be  selected based on a questionnaire and subsequent interview.

“The basic requirement is the passion to work for  the welfare of children. The selected persons would be given training and provided with ID cards. Individuals belonging to various strata based on gender, working area and  age are preferred,” added Mr Machingal. The  existing block-level children protection committee under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) would also screen  the members. An official at the social justice department said that the role of laymen in protecting child rights was  crucial and that they should be trained for the purpose.   According to statistics,  40 per cent of the total population in Malappuram are children under 18. This is bigger than the combined population of Kasargod, Wayanad, Idukki and  Pathanamthitta districts put together.