Childline 1098

The Childline‐1098 Project, spearheaded by Marathwada Gramin Vikas Sanstha (MGVS), stands as a cornerstone initiative dedicated to ensuring the care and protection of children in need across Aurangabad.

MGVS has partnered in this project to be a district nodal child protection agency in the Aurangabad district providing child protection services to children in need of care and protection. MGVS works in close cooperation and coordination of district administrative, judiciary, police, health departments, civil society, and other relevant organizations to ensure protection of the children from abuse.

Any calls on issues concerning children to the Childline 1098 are directed to MGVS for support and follow-up. Many of these calls pertain to child marriage, child labour, hunger, and distress among children. MGVS child line staff and volunteers are involved in counseling and directing them to relevant authorities for further follow-up or action.

Activities & Outcomes

• Handled 1,403 cases through the 1098‐helpline, comprising 70 medical aid cases, 95 shelter assistance cases, 193 abuse protection cases, 377 education sponsorship cases, 63 missing child reports, 447 parental support requests (for begging, counseling), 95 emotional support and guidance cases, and 63 child marriage interventions. Additionally, conducted 11,097 phone call tests to raise awareness about 1098 and support children through allied systems.
• Established a Child Advisory Board Committee under the District Collector to regularly review case interventions and children’s needs, securing support from the allied system, government officers, police, DWCD, Child Welfare Committee, education and health departments, SJPU, and other NGOs. Held quarterly meetings, totaling four in the year, with the District Collector and these stakeholders.
• Organized a week‐long awareness campaign from June 12 to June 20, 2022, to eliminate child labor, and a Child Safety Day (CSD) event from November 14 to November 21, 2022, raising awareness among approximately 30,000 people and 10,000 children in public places and schools. The inauguration was conducted by the District Collector and the CWC chairperson.
• Celebrated World Anti‐Child Trafficking Day in collaboration with the allied system, including DWCD, the Deputy Commissioner of Child Labor, CWC President, Railway Police, DCPU, and Childline at the Aurangabad railway station, reaching about 20,000 people with messages against child trafficking.
• Launched a signature campaign in Aurangabad’s public places to promote awareness of 1098‐helpline, engaging 12,000 people and 4,000 children, and conducted awareness programs in over 120 schools through poster exhibitions and events, informing

Impact

• Through its comprehensive approach, the Childline‐1098 Project has significantly impacted child protection within the community. By enhancing awareness, strengthening support systems, and ensuring targeted interventions, it has collectively contributed to creating a safer environment for children. This showcases the project’s pivotal role in promoting child welfare and effectively supporting needy children.