Across the world, children are affected by physical distancing, quarantines and nationwide school closures due to the spread of coronavirus disease. During the entire lockdown, children were isolated, anxious, bored and uncertain. But after this uncertainty of lockdown from Covid-19 things are getting normal almost after eight months. Govt. has decided to open the schools for higher classes and unlock down has removed the boundaries for everyone to move freely. For small children, the fear of pandemic still continues among the parents, so they are still at home, on the contrary, many children had started moving in this new normal. Seeing the situation in this new normal Caritas India Partner PGSS decided for a learning excursion of children so that they can also know how the protection & safety of children is done by the Police and other agencies. This learning trip for children was organized at Nautanwa Police Station and SSB 66th Commandant Office. A dialogue was held between these security agencies and the Child Parliament to create child-friendly atmosphere and control child trafficking as part of the Swaraksha Human Trafficking Program, making them aware of children’s rights, child labour, child marriage, and Gender violence.

“It is a matter of great pride that the Child Parliament is actively involved to stop child trafficking,” said Commandant Singh from Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) while appreciating the presence of child parliament in the area. He also extended full support to children and said that they are always ready to help at any time. Currently, SSB is engaged exclusively in combating Human Trafficking, an Anti – Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) has also been formed in SSB for keeping more vigilance at transition points on suspected cases at Indo-Nepal Border.

Shakil Ahamad, the AHTU in-charge shared that, “the children can call the police helpline numbers whenever they are in need or whenever they came across in an emergency situation.” Child Protection Officer, Shri Zaki Ahmed also shared about the Mission Shakti Abhiyan and Kanya Sumangala Yojana with the children. He informed, “the State Govt. has Mission Shakti Program for women and children to ensure their safety. He said that that the program is working to link girl’s child to the Govt. Scheme of Chief Minister Kanya Sumangala Yojna where the state Govt. will not only ensure the security and safety of women and girl child but create opportunities for their development and growth in the society. This not only controls female feticide, a crime against women, Child marriage but also ensure opportunities for their higher education & employment. The State Govt. is very much concerned about the safety & protection of women & children & in this regards the campaigns have been initiated in every district.

The leaders from Child Parliament ensured that they will act as active eyes for the Police & border forces by giving information of anyone being involved in enticing any child or person, luring or tempting or by pressuring any child and indulging them into child labour, child marriage, orchestration or flesh trade. They were also refreshed with different Emergency Helpline Numbers where they can call for the support or assistance from Police & other Govt. agencies.

The objective of the trip for these children during amidst the pandemic was to empower them and create a conducive environment so they talk freely with Police and other law agencies. The fear among children on seeing the Police is very well known to us but the presence of Caritas India Partners had really made the change through several awareness programs and campaigns during the last three years. It has been seen that child Parliament leaders had stopped Child marriages, Child Labor & brought drop-out back to schools since the child Parliament is formed in the area. Every month they come together for the meeting and discuss the child-related issues to be addressed. This Learning tour of the children was one of the encouraging means to get them acquainted with the working of the Police for the safety and protection of the people and they can call them on helpline numbers whenever they come across any emergency. This visit rejuvenated the child leaders for more actions in days to come.