21st April 25, Mumbai: Child Help Foundation (CHF), a nationally recognized NGO committed to social welfare and humanitarian initiatives, organized an impactful training session for a group of 22 children from the Community Vigilant Group (CVG) in Mumbai Suburban, Maharashtra, in collaboration with a partner NGO, Oasis. CHF works tirelessly to create a society where every child is protected, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive. The NGO actively promotes gender equality, fights against child abuse, and conducts numerous sessions on Good Touch-Bad Touch and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. This initiative falls under CHF’s Gender Equality programme, which has benefitted 16,58,04 people.
The initiative of the Community Vigilant Group, organized by CHF, focused on the theme of ‘Leadership in Preventing Child Abuse, ‘ with the primary aim of empowering youth to become informed, responsible, and proactive guardians of their own safety and that of their peers. In the training session, the 22 participants were guided through various modules that address the fundamentals of child rights, recognizing signs of abuse, the importance of speaking up, and the role of a vigilant community in ensuring child protection. Participants were trained through storytelling, open conversations, real-life scenarios, and leadership exercises. The children were encouraged to express their thoughts and share their concerns. The training emphasized that silence and fear should never be barriers to justice and safety and that every child has the right to live a life free from fear and abuse.
Speaking about their most significant initiative against child abuse at all levels of society, Mr. Shaji Varghese, Chief Executive Officer of Child Help Foundation, said, “CHF is creating a ripple effect of awareness and protection at the community level against child abuse in society. The NGO is training young minds to take responsibility for themselves and their peers. The session is not just training; it is an investment in a future where children feel safe, heard, and supported. When we empower children to take the lead, we foster communities that stand strong against injustice. We urge parents, teachers, community leaders, and youth to come forward and be part of this growing movement to safeguard every child.
The highlight of the session was the group discussion around how youth themselves can be catalysts for change by equipping them with the tools to identify early warning signs and empowering them to report inappropriate behaviour by anyone. This initiative underscores Child Help Foundation’s ongoing commitment to preventive action and youth empowerment by nurturing leadership qualities among children and instilling a culture of vigilance and empathy.
The session ended with children expressing their eagerness to share their learnings with friends, family, and neighbours. Their collective pledge to be vigilant and speak up against abuse marks a promising step in building a more aware and safer community.
