Sri Vijaya Puram, May 23: A two-day workshop aimed at strengthening institutional care systems and improving implementation of child protection mechanisms under the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 was conducted in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, bringing together officials and stakeholders associated with child welfare and rehabilitation services across the Union Territory.
The programme was organised by the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development under the Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the State Child Protection Society functioning under the Directorate of Social Welfare, Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
According to officials, the workshop focused on enhancing the capacity of stakeholders involved in child protection services and strengthening the implementation framework of the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 across the Islands.
During the sessions held over two days, participants discussed various aspects related to institutional care, rehabilitation services, statutory procedures and child protection mechanisms under the Juvenile Justice Act.
Officials stated that the workshop also emphasised the need for improved coordination among different stakeholders involved in child care and protection in order to ensure better rehabilitation, reintegration and support systems for children in need of care and protection.
Resource persons conducted technical sessions on multiple components of institutional care and interacted extensively with participants regarding practical challenges faced during implementation of child protection services in the field.
The discussions reportedly covered operational and procedural issues linked to child care institutions, statutory responsibilities under the Juvenile Justice framework and mechanisms intended to strengthen institutional support for vulnerable children.
Participants included members and officials associated with Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), Child Care Institutions (CCIs), and other child protection functionaries working under Mission Vatsalya in the Islands.
Officials said the workshop was intended to create a more coordinated and effective institutional framework by facilitating interaction between field-level functionaries and subject experts engaged in child welfare administration.
The programme also sought to address implementation-related gaps and improve understanding of procedures prescribed under the Juvenile Justice Act among stakeholders responsible for child care and rehabilitation services.
Authorities noted that strengthening institutional care systems remains an important component of child protection efforts, particularly in ensuring that children requiring support, protection and rehabilitation receive appropriate assistance through legally mandated mechanisms.
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to strengthen child protection services and improve the functioning of institutions working in the sector.
Officials stated that such capacity-building programmes are aimed at equipping child protection personnel and institutional representatives with updated knowledge, procedural clarity and practical understanding required for effective implementation of welfare measures under the Juvenile Justice framework.
The sessions concluded with interactions between resource persons and participants on field-level experiences, coordination challenges and institutional practices associated with care, protection and rehabilitation services for children across the Islands.
