The Annual program review of Surokhit Shaishav – Promoting safe childhood in West Bengal was held on 1st and 2nd December 2021, at Seva Kendra Calcutta. The program focuses on working towards the abolition of child labour in all forms in the state by establishing effective child protection systems and promoting children’s right to education, inclusive development, and social participation 

Operationalized by seven partners, four DDSS, two congregational and one secular/ nonfaith organization, with support from Caritas Germany and BMZ, currently on the verge of two years of its operation in the State of West Bengal. CHILD RIGHTS one of Caritas India’s star programs, implemented in West Bengal, is committed to work as facilitator to ensure program smooth implementation in 6 districts. 

“Number of child labour among school-going children increased during lockdown period from 5.58% to 11.64 % as per the survey conducted by RtE a CACL- WB,” informed Fr. Parimal Kanji, ABCD -WB Forum Director while expressing the reality of Children in the State. He highlighted and appreciated the good efforts of Caritas, where it engaged with children to address the issues of DRR. 

Fr Jolly, Assistant Executive Director, Caritas India accentuated that Caritas touches human lives at its core bringing about positive changes. It’s a significant program reaching out to thousands of children in realizing their future and dreams. He went on to emphasize that the essence of partnership speaks about accountability. In great detail, he mentioned “6 key accountability areas – “we need to be accountable towards the community, Donor fraternity, Government, Church leadership, with Caritas and finally towards international communities, wherein we contribute towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This platform allows greater cross-learning.”

“60 % of our children need to pay education fees, 32% have no access to safe drinking water, 12 % of the schools have no separate toilets, 20% children expressed that they get punishment in schools, 64 % cannot share their opinions, and 23% of the children say that they work for money- UNCRC Report for WB, expressed the grim reality of WB in his keynote address by Fr. Paul Moonjely Executive Director Caritas India. “These data act as pointers and we need to engage more proactively with various government stakeholders and child rights networks”.

Father voiced the concern that ‘Covid 19 made tremendous impacts on children lives especially in education and health’ There is a need to work very closely with West Bengal’s Early Childhood Care and Education Program (ECC), as WB is a pioneering state to introduce this scheme in their State. 

Finally, ending by saying, “We all need to strive to become an enabling and leading organization working for the protection of children”.

Program Coordinators and Child Protection Officers of Seven partner of Surokhit Shaishav- Anugyalaya DDSS, Bal Suraksha Abhiyan, Seva Kendra Siliguri, Social Welfare Institute Raigunj, Krishangar Cathedral Charitable Social Society, Suprava Panchashila Mahila Uddyog Samiti and Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre presented their annual program achievement and Innovation, challenges and learning during this unprecedented times. 

Mr Nikhil Kumar, Thematic Lead Child Development, highlighted the importance of education among children, through accelerated learning and age-appropriate techniques, as covid 19 build a digital divide among children education. More Child protection spaces in our intervention areas. Skilling up digital literacy among teachers and team members. Psychosocial support trainings to partner team and finally undertaking a small evaluation of our program intervention. 

“We are ever grateful to Caritas India, the management and team for their support towards child protection and providing them with a good and better future. We promise to bring about positive and sustainable results in our Surokhit Shaishav program, were the words expressed by Sr Subeshna Thapa, Director, Bal Suraksha Abhiyan (BSA) in her valedictory remark.