Strengthening Community Voices for Child Protection

Event Start Date: 01/08/2025

Event End Date: 30/08/2025

In August 2025, under the Silver Lining Project, a significant milestone was achieved in Baruipur with the successful formation of Community Vigilance Committees (CVCs), Child Parliaments (CPs), and Youth Groups across nine villages. This initiative marked an important step towards building a sustainable framework for protecting children and empowering at-risk communities.

The meetings held with these newly formed groups introduced them to their roles, responsibilities, and collective power in creating safer environments. Discussions revolved around pressing issues such as child marriage, trafficking, abuse, and neglect, and how united community action can act as the first line of defence in preventing such violations.

Child Parliaments were designed to give children a platform to voice their concerns, share their perspectives, and actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Similarly, the Youth Groups were encouraged to act as positive role models within their villages, spreading awareness and mobilising action. The CVCs, composed of community members, were entrusted with the responsibility of vigilance and ensuring immediate response in cases of child rights violations.

By creating these interconnected groups, the project fosters a community-based safety net, ensuring that protection is not just the duty of authorities but a shared responsibility of every household. The initiative also builds ownership among villagers, making child protection a lived practice rather than a distant policy.

The formation of these groups is not an end in itself but a beginning — paving the way for greater awareness, stronger participation, and a culture of accountability that places the rights and safety of children at the centre.

“When communities unite, children find safety, strength, and hope.”

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