Keralam to conduct Statewide child vulnerability mapping

A Statewide vulnerability mapping will be held to identity children living in vulnerable conditions in Keralam.

The survey will be conducted as part of an action plan of the Women and Child Development department to ensure care, protection, and rehabilitation of vulnerable children.

A decision was taken in this regard at a meeting convened by Minister for Women and Child Development Bindhu Krishna here on Friday (October 23) following the death of a two-year-old toddler in Alappuzha owing to suspected malnutrition.

Once vulnerable children are identified, their safety and rehabilitation will be ensured with the support of Local Self-Government, Health, and Police departments.

The Minister stressed that Women and Child Development Officers in districts will be fully responsible for ensuring children’s safety and rehabilitation.

The meeting decided to strengthen coordination between various departments, while ensuring that meetings of child protection and welfare committees from district to village levels are held on a regular basis.

In case of hurdles in matters including rescue of children, district child protection officers should ensure higher-level interventions. Lack of cooperation from parents should not result in discontinuation of steps to ensure children’s safety.

Social investigation reports should be submitted to child welfare committees in a time-bound manner. Individual care plans should be prepared for all children in care institutions. Follow-up and monitoring should be ensured even after the rehabilitation of children.

Children’s nutrition and growth will be tracked, and urgent interventions will be undertaken if malnutrition or neglect is found.