Why in news?
The Central Government has started a new relief scheme under the ‘Mission Vatsalya’ scheme in relation to the abandonment of the families of minor girls who are victims of rape when they become pregnant.
Mission Vatsalya
- Mission Vatsalya launched in 2021 by the ministry of Women and Child Development.
- Mission Vatsalya focused on protection and welfare of children.
- The Government establish 415 POSCO fast-track courts in the country to provide assistance access to justice for minor victims of rape.
- Mission Vatsalya lays emphasis on child care, advocacy and awareness about the along with providing justice care and protection with the motto of ‘Leave No Child Behind.’
- The basis of implementation of Mission Vatsalya is The Juvenile Care (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 provisions and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (POSCO Act).
- Mission Vatsalya is a centrally sponsored scheme work together with the State Government and UT administration to provide assistance to the victims.
About the New Scheme launched Mission Vatsalya:
- The scheme aims to provide shelter, food, daily need, sage transportation to the court hearings and legal aid to minor girls who have been abandoned by their families:
- Due to the forced pregnancy
- Have no other means to support themselves.
- The fund will help in setting up shelters for the victims.
- The new scheme aims to provide integrated support and assistance to the victim girls which involves:
- Access to education
- Police support
- Heath care facilities including maternity, neo-natal and infant care.
- Psychological and legal aid.
History of Mission Vatsalya:
- In 2009, Ministry of Women and Child Development launched three schemes for the welfare of children:
- Juvenile Justice Programme,
- Integrated Programme and
- Child Home Support Scheme
- In 2010 these three schemes are merged into ‘Integrated Child Protection Scheme.’
- In 2017 it was renamed as ‘Child Protection Service Scheme.’
- In 2021 it was renamed as ‘Mission Vatsalya.’
About the Nirbhaya Fund:
- In response to the Nirbhaya case in 2013, the government established Nirbhaya Fund.
- It aims at projects related to women and child care and development.
- It is managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- The Empowered Committee which is composed of officers of several ministries and the secretary of MWCD, recommends projects/programmes for funding under Nirbhaya Fund.
- Some of the major projects under Nirbhaya Fund are: Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVVF), One Stop Centres (ONCs), Universalization of Women Helpline (WHL) and Mahila Police Volunteer (MPV) etc.
Find More News Related to Schemes & Committees