Mission Vatsalya is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India, in 2009. The scheme aims to provide holistic care and protection to children in difficult circumstances. This includes children in need of care and protection (CNCP), children in conflict with law (CCL), and street children.
Historical Background of Mission Vatsalya
The historical perspective of Mission Vatsalya can be traced back to the early 1980s. This was when the Government of India began to take a more serious interest in the issue of child protection. In 1986, the National Policy for Children was adopted. This emphasized the need to provide holistic care and protection to all children.
In the early 1990s, the government launched many initiatives to address the needs of children in difficult circumstances. These initiatives included:
The establishment of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and
The Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPUs) across the country.
In 2009, the government launched Mission Vatsalya. The scheme was a consolidation of the earlier initiatives. It provided a more comprehensive framework for addressing the needs of these children.
Mission Vatsalya has been implemented in a phased manner since its launch. The first phase of the scheme focused on strengthening the infrastructure and capacity of CWCs and SJPUs. The second phase of the scheme focused on providing services to CNCP, CCL, and street children.
Objectives of the Vatsalya Scheme
Ensure the child’s best interests when planning and delivering projects, focusing on their right to grow in a supportive family environment.
Safeguard children’s rights to survival, development, protection, and participation.
Establish crucial services and enhance emergency support, both within families and communities, as well as institutional care, counselling, and support services at various levels.
Promote inter-sectoral responses, coordination, and collaboration with allied systems to ensure seamless service delivery for children.
Strengthen child protection at the family and community levels by empowering them to identify risks and take preventive measures.
Encourage private sector partnerships within the legal framework for supporting children.
Raise public awareness and educate people about child rights, vulnerabilities, and government-sponsored protection measures, involving the community as stakeholders.
Enhance the capacities of duty holders and service providers at all levels.
Monitor progress using well-defined objectives and outcomes.
Involve Panchayats and Municipal Local Bodies at the village and urban cluster levels to assess issues, implement appropriate interventions, and monitor progress in building a robust safety net for children.
