Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: In a determined effort to address the ongoing child protection crisis in Goa, the Hon’ble Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Peter F. Borges, has penned a compelling follow-up letter to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Goa.
This action comes in the wake of no response to a previous letter to Chief Secretary, signaling a deepening concern for the welfare of the state’s most vulnerable: its children. The Commission’s persistence is marked by a call for immediate action, emphasizing the dire need for a collaborative and immediate resolution to the issues plaguing child welfare and protection in Goa.
Again, highlighting a series of more critical issues that have been continuously ignored, Mr. Borges shed light on the neglect and bureaucratic indifference that has allowed these problems to persist. The failure to enforce the State Mental Health Rules 2017, the oversight of the AIDS Act, the appalling neglect of special schools, the dire situation of street children, the inefficiency in the system of compensation for sexually abused children, the critical gap in policing for POCSO cases, the collapse of Mission Vatsalya, the alarming backlog of POCSO cases, and the lax response to protecting children in sports and education were all outlined as areas requiring urgent attention.
“The deliberate bureaucratic hurdles impeding the effective functioning of the Hon’ble Commission are indefensible,” stated Mr. Borges, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “These obstacles hinder the Commission’s crucial work. Despite these challenges, the Commission has made significant contributions to child protection in Goa, marking pivotal advancements that deserve not only recognition but also reinforcement through strengthened support and resources.”
In a statement that underscores the urgency of the situation, Mr. Borges expressed, “Recommendations and directives, grounded in the harsh realities faced by our children, and aimed at rectifying years of neglect and inaction, remain unimplemented. We must break the chains of bureaucratic indifference and take decisive action that will pave the way for a future where every child is valued, protected, and given the opportunity to thrive.”
The Commission has called for an immediate joint meeting of all stakeholders under the leadership of the Chief Secretary to engage in comprehensive and constructive dialogue aimed at resolving these critical issues. “The necessity of convening a joint meeting of all stakeholders cannot be overstated when it comes to resolving the critical issues at hand,” Mr. Borges added.
The time to act is now. The Commission urges the Government of Goa to not be remembered as the generation that failed its children but to be the beacon of hope, the catalyst for change, and the guardians of a future where every child is given the chance to succeed.
“Our children, our future, cannot wait,” concluded Mr. Borges, calling for immediate and concerted efforts to address the child protection crisis in Goa.
