Training for CREAM staff on Child-Friendly Panchayats

On 16 December 2020, BREADS Bangalore organised an online Training of Trainers (TOT) for the CREAM project directors, coordinators and social activists from the twenty districts of Karnataka. Ms. Kripa Bhat- Coordinator, Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana; Ms. Kavita Ratna- Director of Advocacy, and Ms. Nishita Khajane- Junior Advocacy Officer from The Concerned for Working Children (CWC) were the resource persons.

The training began with an explanation of the history of the UNCRC and the current situation of child rights in Karnataka. The 35 participants of the training were enlightened on the Makkala Snehi Gram Panchayat Abhiyana (Child-friendly Gram Panchayat campaign) by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR), Karnataka. The department has also initiated various programmes such as awareness on child rights, food, nutrition, environment conservation and protection, and a new concept Oduva Belaku, which is an initiative to engage children in reading and learning by setting up a library in each Gram Panchayat. The resource persons briefly explained the voting awareness campaign titled- Me and My Vote Not for Sale, which promotes judicious voting by citizens; child protection protocols and the special Grama Sabhas for children. The three-hour training was interactive and the CREAM staff shared a few innovative programmes that advocate the rights of children.