In the realm of child rights and protection, safeguarding is not just a duty; it’s a sacred trust. Every individual working with children and youth carries a collective responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being. This solemn commitment resonates deeply within Caritas India to uphold human dignity through gospel values. For Caritas, safeguarding transcends mere policy – it’s an unwavering commitment to create and sustain an environment that champions respect and dignity as its core principles.

In pursuit of this noble mission, Caritas India recently conducted a series of intensive training sessions aimed at equipping its partners in West Bengal with the knowledge and tools needed to combat one of the most abhorrent violations of child rights – human trafficking.
The program began with a one-day follow-up training session on the Safeguarding policy, followed by two days of immersive training on Child Trafficking. Father Naresh Beck, Director of Seva Kendra Siliguri, opened the proceedings with a poignant reflection on the tragic demise of a minor girl in Siliguri. He underscored the pivotal role of Surokhit Shaishav Program, which stands as a proponent of safeguarding the rights of children, especially in these precarious times. In a world where vulnerability looms large, safeguarding policies become paramount to ensure protection.

Leading these crucial protection and safeguarding sessions was Ms. Asha R. Ekka. Her unwavering emphasis on the Safeguarding policy’s importance resonated strongly. It is a policy that ensures the welfare, safety, and protection of all children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults who come into contact with Caritas India, whether internally or externally.

Caritas India’s Child Rights – Surokhit Shaishav program is the embodiment of these principles. It aligns with the core tenets of Caritas India’s Strategic Plan and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). These principles include upholding the best interests of the child, zero tolerance for child abuse, shared responsibility, accountability, and confidentiality.

Delving into the grave issue of human trafficking was Ms. Chihanphi Luiram, who commenced her session by referencing the Palermo Protocol, which provides the internationally accepted definition of trafficking. She then navigated through the intricacies of the terminologies, laws, and Acts related to human trafficking through engaging group work and interactive discussions. Notably, Ms. Luiram shed light on different perspectives of human trafficking, grounded in a multi-disciplinary human rights framework, and spotlighted the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act of 1956.

The three-day intensive training culminated in a closing session, where Reverend Father Naresh urged the Child Rights team of West Bengal to uphold their values and commitment wherever their organization is active. This workshop drew participants from various esteemed organizations, including Anugyalaya, Bal Suraksha Abhiyan, Seva Kendra Siliguri, Suprava Panchashila Mahila Uddog Samiti, and Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre.

In these transformative sessions, Caritas India demonstrated that safeguarding is not just a duty, but a resolute promise to protect the most vulnerable among us. Through the Surokhit Shaishav Program, they are forging a brighter future for the children of West Bengal and beyond, safeguarding their rights against the scourge of child trafficking.