Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government is set to introduce policy reforms aimed at making the children of the state safe. The existing child protection policy, introduced in 2016, will be revised to ensure that children are safeguarded within homes and communities over the next three years.

The Department of Women and Child Development is leading the initiative, which seeks to create a secure environment free from substance abuse, gender inequality, and violence. Families, communities, and teachers will play a key role in ensuring children’s safety. Efforts will also be directed towards gradually eliminating sexual abuse and other forms of exploitation, as well as putting an end to child labour, negligence, and misuse.

Plans are also underway to revise the standards of child protection institutions. The project will be implemented with the support of various departments, including General Education, Health and Family Welfare, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Department, Sports, Labour, Police, Fisheries Department, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Transport Department, Local Self-Government, Excise and the State Disaster Management Authority.

Other key objectives include:

  •  Promoting responsible parenting
  •  Ensuring steady income for families
  •  Establishing local-level support systems for children with disabilities
  •  Providing immediate psychological support to child victims of abuse
  •  Developing life skills for both children and parents