UNICEF in Maharashtra joined hands with Goa WCD for addressing issues in child protection.

In order to focus on the issues in the area of child protection in the state, the UNICEF in Maharashtra joined hands with Goa Women and Child Development (WCD).
i. The discussion was held on “Key challenges around child protection in Goa” at a training programme on Integrated Child Protection Scheme(ICPS), by WCD, which saw the participation of Ms. Rajeshwari Chandrasekar, Chief Field Officer, UNICEF Maharashtra, and Ms. Alpa Vora, Consultant, Child Protection, UNICEF.

ii. The issue of migrant children who face a whole lot of different problems linked with challenges of livelihood, alcoholism, etc., of their poor parents, or the children themselves were brought to light, among other issues.

iii. During the deliberations, stakeholders including Child Welfare Committee(CWC) representatives brought out issues like exploitation of vulnerable children of migrants in night markets and flea markets, traditional festivals, beach areas, the huge problem of alcoholism among migrants workforce which leads to domestic violence and consequent fallout on the children, among others.

iv. North Goa CWC official said that presently they had a major “job” on hand of executing an order of the high court in a petition, which has asked that such migrant children be repatriated to parent States.