KOZHIKODE: The social justice department has kick-started a programme to check malnutrition and sexual abuse among tribal kids. The ‘Subhakshitha Balyam Sundara Balyam’ scheme has been launched in the Seethathode grama panchayat of Pathanamthitta district covering 100 children of Muzhiyar and Gavi regions as a pilot project.
“A survey conducted by the district child protection unit (DCPU) among 11 tribal families in Muzhiyar had revealed that 95 per cent of the children under 18 were under-weight,” said DCPO A.O. Abeen. Following the findings, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) visited the tribal colonies and subsequently the government came up with the programme.
The DCPO says that school/anganwadi-going children did not have proper food on holidays. “As the elders go to the interior forest, these children take care of the younger siblings at home. Loneliness makes them vulnerable to sexual abuse,” added Mr Abeen.
As per the programme, breakfast and evening meal will be distributed to the children in their school/anganwadis, besides the mid-day meal scheme. On holidays, food will be given three times at two centres of the NGO, Kerala Mahila Samakhya Society.
The Kudumbashree Mission has been entrusted with the distribution of food. Apart from this, cultural fest, film exhibition and classes involving parents would also be conducted.
The fund for the pilot project for the first six months will be borne by the government and through sponsorship. So far Rs 12 lakh has been collected through sponsorship.
“The crux of the problem is that the majority of the tribals did not know how to use the government fund or things. For instance, they are unaware about how to cook cereals or rice and eat at the proper time,” said a worker of Mahila Samakhya Society.
