The Maharashtra State Child Protection Commission is set to launch the ‘Balraksha Abhiyan’, an initiative aimed at safeguarding children's rights and ensuring their well-being. The Commission will also introduce the ‘Balsnehi Award’, as announced by its Chairperson, Adv. Sushiben Shah, during a press conference at the Ministry on Wednesday.
The campaign will be officially inaugurated on 17 February 2025 at Sahyadri Guest House, Malabar Hill, Mumbai, in the presence of School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse and Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe. The event will feature the unveiling of informative campaign posters and the launch of the enhanced ‘Balsnehi Chirag App’, designed to improve grievance redressal for children.
Running across February and March 2025, the initiative will include workshops in multiple districts, including Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Nagpur, Akola, Nashik, Pune, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Each district will train 150 participants, including teachers, parents, PTA representatives, and selected students. In its first phase, 7,000 individuals will be trained by expert child protection institutions. The programme aims to raise awareness among teachers and parents, promote safer school environments, and strengthen child protection mechanisms.
The ‘Balsnehi Awards 2024’ will take place on 3 March 2025, honouring individuals and organisations dedicated to child welfare.
Chairperson Shah highlighted the urgent need for better communication, coordination, and awareness among parents, teachers, police, social organisations, and authorities to combat child sexual abuse across Maharashtra. Noting that perpetrators are often known to victims, she stressed the importance of encouraging reporting, implementing preventive measures, and establishing effective school-based response systems.
The ‘Balraksha Abhiyan’ seeks to foster collaboration among all stakeholders, ensuring safer environments for children at home and in schools while strengthening protective systems.