One source for all resources

Kanchan Agarwal

Activists have compiled a directory of resources for child protection in Andhra Pradesh.

As its next step towards child protection, Terre des hommes foundation, in collaboration with HELP and Lausanne, organised a book launch of a resource directory on child protection in AP.

The resource directory on child protection contains a compiled database of all organisations working tow­a­rds various aspects of child welfare. The database, categorised according to districts, consists of addresses and telephone numbers of these organisations so that cases of child abuse, child trafficking and child begging can be immediately addressed. The chief guests spoke about the relevance of the directory and the responsibility it endows upon citizens.

This is the third book in the series, the first two having been made for West Bengal and Delhi. Chief guests present at the launch were Chiranjiv Choudhury, IFS commissioner, commisionerate of women development and child welfare; AL Kismat Kumar, director of juvenile welfare, correctional services and welfare of street children; Dr Hans Van Vilet, first counsellor, head of development co-operation, delegation to the European Union to India; Sonykutty George, officer in-charge and child protection specialist UNICEF for AP and Karnataka; and activist and actor Nandana Sen.

Nandana Sen pointed out that as common practice, we distance ourselves from a child who is in a hazardous position. Many of us assume that problems such as child trafficking are so huge that a common man can hardly do anything about it. "Protecting children is not an act of kindness but our moral responsibility. All of us are accountable for a child's safety," she said.

Sonykutty George exte­n­ded congratulations on the making of the directory. Noting that the book speaks for about 6,000 people who are working in the direction of child welfare, he raised the vital question ? was this number sufficient? With the example of a movement against trafficking in Bangalore which brought to surface 189 victims, he said Hyderabad is three times worse in statistics. "The directory enables people to reach out. We cannot make a difference alone. But together, we can make lives of children better," he said.