With a view to tackling the issues of child migration, trafficking, child marriage and other vulnerabilities of children of western Odisha, the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR),organised a orientation workshop in collaboration with Aide et Action and UNICEF Odisha here on Tuesday.
OSCPCR Chairperson Mandakini Kar stressed the need for protection of migrants and other vulnerable children and sought cooperation of all sections of society to tackle the issue effectively.
Every year, large numbers of people from Balangir, Nuapda, Kalahandi, Bargarh and other districts of western Odisha migrate to brick kilns of neighbouring States in search of livelihood. The children of migrant labourers also accompany their parents to brick kiln sites where they face torture, exploitation.
The children who are left in their houses in the villages also face deplorable conditions. Moreover, the post-Covid situation has increased the vulnerability of children to various forms of threats, exploitation and hardship.
The government has taken measures like the establishment of seasonal hostels for children affected by migration, support for those orphaned by Covid-19 through initiatives like the Ashirbad Yojana, implementation of action plans to prevent child marriage, initiatives to combat child trafficking through the IAHTU and efforts to prevent child labour.
Civil society organisations, members of District Child Protection Units, district labour officials from Boudh, Subarnapur, Balangir, Nuapda, Kalhandi and other western Odisha districts shared the challenges they face while tackling the issue of migrant children in their district.
Director Migration & Education, Aide et Action Umi Daniel, Balangir Zilla Parishad Chairman Devaki Sahu, Additional SP Suresh Naik, ADM Lambodar Dharua and others spoke on different issues of migrants children and steps to tackle them.