18 Jul 2023 Mission Vatsalya
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Mission Vatsalya”. The topic “Mission Vatsalya” has relevance in the Social Justice section of the UPSC CSE exam.
For Prelims:
About Mission Vatsalya?
For Mains:
GS 2: Social Justice
Components of mission Vatsalya?
Support for Abandoned Minor Girls?
Why in the news?
Representatives of various child rights organisations have appealed to the government to extend the last date for applying for Mission Vatsalya Scheme, under which Centre will give ₹4,000, to each orphan child.
Mission Vatsalya: Overview and Implementation
Launch and Focus:
- Mission Vatsalya was launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- It focuses on the protection and welfare of children in India.
Ensure Opportunities for Children:
- The scheme aims to provide children with opportunities to reach their full potential and flourish in all aspects of life.
- It seeks to create an enabling environment for their holistic development.
- Foster a Supportive Ecosystem:
- Mission Vatsalya aims to establish a sensitive, supportive, and synchronized ecosystem for child development.
- It strives to promote a comprehensive and collaborative approach among various stakeholders.
Components of Mission Vatsalya
Improving Statutory Bodies:
- The scheme focuses on enhancing the functioning of statutory bodies involved in child protection.
- This includes strengthening Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) at the district level.
- Strengthening Service Delivery Structures:
- Mission Vatsalya aims to strengthen the service delivery structures for effective child protection.
- It focuses on improving infrastructure, human resources, and capacity building of stakeholders involved in child protection services.
Upscaling Institutional Care and Services:
- The scheme emphasizes upscaling institutional care facilities and services for children in need of care and protection.
- This involves ensuring proper care, shelter, nutrition, education, and healthcare for children residing in institutions.
Encouraging Non-Institutional Community-Based Care:
- Mission Vatsalya promotes community-based care options such as sponsorship, foster care, and adoption.
- It aims to facilitate the placement of children in supportive families and provide necessary financial assistance.
Providing Emergency Outreach Services:
- The scheme includes provisions for emergency outreach services to promptly address situations requiring immediate intervention.
- This ensures swift support for children in crisis, such as rescue, medical assistance, and temporary shelter.
Training and Capacity Building:
- Mission Vatsalya focuses on training and capacity building programs for various stakeholders involved in child protection.
- This includes training for CWC members, child protection officers, and frontline workers to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Implementation of Juvenile Justice Act:
- The scheme assists states and union territories in effectively implementing the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
- It seeks to strengthen the child protection framework in line with the Act’s objectives and mandates.
- Achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Mission Vatsalya aligns with the SDGs, particularly Goal 16, which focuses on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.
- It contributes to building a robust child protection system and ensuring the well-being of children.
- Modes of Non-Institutional Care for Children
Sponsorship:
- Government Aided Sponsorship: Financial assistance provided through government funds.
- Private Aided Sponsorship: Financial assistance provided through private sources or individuals.
Foster Care:
- Children are placed under the care and rehabilitation of an unrelated family.
- Foster parents receive financial support for nurturing the child.
- Adoption:
- Suitable families are identified for children who are legally free for adoption.
- The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) facilitates the adoption process.
Aftercare:
- Financial support is provided to children leaving a Child Care Institution upon turning 18 years old.
- This assistance aids their reintegration into society and self-dependency.
- Support may extend from 18 to 21 years, with the possibility of further extension up to 23 years.
POCSO Fast-Track Courts:
- As part of Mission Vatsalya, the government has established 415 POSCO fast-track courts across the country.
- These courts aim to provide speedy justice and assistance to minor victims of rape.
Child Care, Advocacy, and Awareness:
- Mission Vatsalya emphasizes child care, advocacy, and awareness.
- It seeks to create a supportive environment for children and ensure their care, protection, and overall development.
- The motto of the mission is “Leave No Child Behind.”
Legal Framework:
- The implementation of Mission Vatsalya is based on the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
- The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) is also a key basis for the mission’s implementation.
Collaboration with State Governments and UT Administrations:
- Mission Vatsalya is a centrally sponsored scheme that works in collaboration with state governments and union territory administrations.
- The objective is to provide assistance and support to child victims of abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
Mission Vatsalya: Support for Abandoned Minor Girls
- The scheme aims to provide comprehensive support and assistance to minor girls who have been abandoned by their families.
- It focuses on addressing the needs of girls who have experienced forced pregnancy and lack other means of support.
Shelter and Basic Necessities:
- Mission Vatsalya aims to provide shelter, food, and daily necessities to the abandoned minor girls.
- The scheme focuses on creating safe and secure living spaces for the victims.
Transportation and Legal Aid:
- The scheme includes provisions for safe transportation of the girls to court hearings and other legal proceedings.
- Legal aid services will be provided to ensure that the rights and interests of the girls are protected.
Setting up Shelters:
- The fund allocated under Mission Vatsalya will be utilized to set up shelters specifically designed for the victims.
- These shelters will provide a conducive environment for the girls’ well-being and development.
Integrated Support and Assistance:
- The new scheme aims to provide integrated support and assistance to the victimized girls.
- This includes access to education, ensuring their right to education is fulfilled.
- Police support will be provided to address any security concerns and protect the girls from harm.
- Healthcare facilities, including maternity care, neo-natal care, and infant care, will be made available to meet their medical needs.
- Psychological and legal aid services will be provided to help them cope with emotional trauma and seek justice.
Q.1 Which ministry launched the Mission Vatsalya scheme.
(a) Ministry of Home Affairs
(b) Ministry of Women and Child Development
(c) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
(d) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
ANSWER: B
Q.2 Under the Mission Vatsalya scheme, the government of India established 415 POSCO fast-track courts across the country. What is the primary objective of these courts?
(a) To provide speedy justice and assistance to minor victims of rape
(b) To address cases related to child trafficking and exploitation
(c) To ensure access to education and healthcare for underprivileged children
(d) To facilitate the adoption process for children in need of care and protection
ANSWER: A
Q.3 Discuss the key features and objectives of the Mission Vatsalya scheme launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in India.
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