Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre was honoured to be a part of the State Child Protection Day celebration held at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata on 9th June 2025. The event, jointly organised by West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) and the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, served as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to uphold, protect, and empower the rights of children across the state.

Children from our Dhapa Centre under the IDENTITY Project and from the red-light area of Sonagachi actively participated in the event, joining hands with children from various vulnerable communities. Their presence was not just symbolic — it was a statement of resilience, dreams, and the right to a safe and dignified childhood.

Our staff members from the Child Rights Project, Naya Disha, IDENTITY and the Brickfield Schools (BFS) volunteered throughout the programme, supporting event logistics and ensuring that every child felt welcomed, heard, and celebrated.

The event was a melting pot of voices, with children, child rights advocates, and government stakeholders coming together to reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding every child’s right to protection. Through cultural expressions, speeches, and interactions, the celebration underscored the collective responsibility of building a child-safe West Bengal.

“Together, we stand—so that every child may live without fear, grow with dignity, and dream without limits.”

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