Against the backdrop of increasing crimes against children, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Emergency Fund) plans to make Kerala the first "Child-friendly State" by incorporating local self-governments.
The new project was announced on the occasion of the organisation’s 70th anniversary.
Apart from checking crimes against children, the project will focus on reducing malnutrition and enhancing immunisation. According to a press note by the organization, the project will be implemented in three phases and the first phase has already begun in a few districts.
By the end of the third phase, through incorporating Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) and Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) laws, UNICEF plans to make all the 1200 units of local self-government (LSG) bodies child-friendly.
As per the press release, the organisation will also look at ensuring the rights of the child from the time of birth. These include breastfeeding within an hour of birth, proper nutrition and immunisation for first 1000 days of birth, safe water, sanitation, proper education, ensuring adequate space and a suitable environment for children’s entertainment or activities.
The note says that all these come under child rights and proper awareness is needed to spread them.
Earlier UNICEF had declared Kerala as the first Baby Friendly State in the world in 2002 for initiating Baby Friendly Hospital Initiatives in the state.
Apart from KILA and KeSCPCR, UNICEF will also provide significant support in establishing Child Development Centres (CDC) and Child Resource Centres (CRC) in Kerala.