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<p>India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1992 and thereby committed itself to safeguarding children’s rights through the framework of decentralized governance. Within this framework, the District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) function as the nodal agencies for child protection at the district level, operating under the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) in alignment with the guidelines of Mission <i>Vatsalaya</i>. Against this backdrop, the present study seeks to explore how child rights are protected at the local level through the functioning of DCPUs in the state of Kerala in India. The study employs a qualitative research design and purposive sampling to collect data from 20 respondents across eight DCPUs in Kerala. Thematic analysis of the in-depth interviews conducted revealed three major themes: child rights in action, right to know, and transform and challenges in child protection. Findings of the study revealed the importance of collaborative networking of various stakeholders at the grassroots level for child rights protection, giving more focus to sensitization of primary caregivers. Furthermore, it identifies key areas requiring structural reforms to strengthen the functioning of DCPU in its efforts to protect children’s rights.</p>

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Exploring the Role of District Child Protection Units in Promoting Child Rights and Protection: Rights-Based Approach

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月3日

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  • Athira M C,
  • Iftekhar Alam

摘要

India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1992 and thereby committed itself to safeguarding children’s rights through the framework of decentralized governance. Within this framework, the District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) function as the nodal agencies for child protection at the district level, operating under the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) in alignment with the guidelines of Mission Vatsalaya. Against this backdrop, the present study seeks to explore how child rights are protected at the local level through the functioning of DCPUs in the state of Kerala in India. The study employs a qualitative research design and purposive sampling to collect data from 20 respondents across eight DCPUs in Kerala. Thematic analysis of the in-depth interviews conducted revealed three major themes: child rights in action, right to know, and transform and challenges in child protection. Findings of the study revealed the importance of collaborative networking of various stakeholders at the grassroots level for child rights protection, giving more focus to sensitization of primary caregivers. Furthermore, it identifies key areas requiring structural reforms to strengthen the functioning of DCPU in its efforts to protect children’s rights.