Kulgam, Dec 19, KNT: A district-level Multi-Stakeholder Meeting on child welfare and protection was held on Friday at the Office of the DySP DAR in District Police Lines Kulgam to strengthen coordination among institutions working for children’s rights and well-being. The meeting was presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner Vikar Ahmad Giri and was jointly organised by the Office of the DySP DAR Kulgam and the Reform and Rehabilitation Foundation.
The deliberations saw participation from senior officials of the district administration, J and K Police, the Child Welfare Committee, the Juvenile Justice Board, the Department of Child Welfare, Panchayati Raj Institutions, the University of Kashmir, and UNICEF.
Stakeholders reviewed the existing child protection framework in Kulgam and discussed longstanding gaps affecting vulnerable children. The discussion also highlighted the need for child-friendly policing, better awareness initiatives in sensitive areas, and stronger mechanisms to address emerging concerns related to cyber safety and online exploitation.
Participants agreed on adopting a coordinated and data-driven strategy to improve institutional responses. A shared roadmap was proposed to develop a comprehensive district vision for child welfare built on systematic data collection, regular analysis, and inter-departmental cooperation. Strengthening capacity building on cyber hygiene and ensuring timely prevention, protection, and rehabilitation measures were identified as key priorities.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to work in close synergy and promote a child-centric approach, recognising that sustained collaboration backed by evidence-based interventions is essential for safeguarding the safety and dignity of children in Kulgam. [KNT]
