PANAJI: The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) held a stakeholder convergence meeting under the Integrated Child Protection System at the Secretariat in Porvorim, with a focus on improving coordination among agencies responsible for child protection.
The meeting was chaired by GSCPCR Chairperson Shashikant K. Punaji and attended by representatives from the North Goa, South Goa and Kushavati district administrations, police, judiciary, health services, District Child Protection Units, Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards, Special Juvenile Police Units, Child Helpline, the Victim Assistance Unit/SCAN and ARZ.
The discussions covered timely referrals and responses, information sharing, rehabilitation and support services, and effective implementation of provisions under the Juvenile Justice Act, POCSO Act and Goa Children’s Act.
Punaji stressed that protecting children is a shared responsibility and called for better coordination, clear accountability and timely intervention among institutions.
Participants also discussed appointing designated nodal officers, strengthening coordination at district and taluka levels, developing common data-sharing mechanisms, and conducting regular training, sensitisation and review programmes.
Representatives from SCAN-Goa/Victim Assistance Unit and ARZ shared field-level experiences and highlighted challenges faced while assisting children, stressing the need for stronger inter-agency coordination.
The Commission will follow up on the issues raised during the meeting. The next stakeholder review meeting is scheduled for January 6, 2027.
