Every child deserves the opportunity to dream, learn, create, belong, and grow. On 7 September 2026, SPAN officially launched “Ensuring a Safe Childhood – for the Children on the Streets of Kolkata,” a flagship initiative dedicated to creating safer, more inclusive pathways of protection, rights, education, and opportunity for children living and working in vulnerable situations.
A Multi-Stakeholder Coalition for Change
The event brought together government leaders, legal service authorities, child protection experts, community members, and 15 youth representatives from Narkeldanga, Rajabazar, and Belgachia. The gathering created a dynamic platform for dialogue, youth participation, and shared action.
Key Dignitaries & Institutions in Attendance
- Md. Nadim | District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), Kolkata
- Bidisha Bhattacharya | Deputy Labour Commissioner
- Arpita Ghosh | District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kolkata
- Mahua Sur Roy | Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Kolkata
- Shibu Barman | Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), Kolkata
Core Insights & Program Objectives
The launch highlighted a crucial reality: effective child protection cannot be achieved by a single institution in isolation. True impact requires continuous collaboration across government systems, legal bodies, civil society organisations, communities, and children themselves.
Strategic Goals of the Initiative
- From Rights to Realities: Bridge the gap between policy rights and tangible, everyday opportunities for Kolkata’s street-connected youth.
- Empowerment Over Circumstance: Provide holistic support systems so children are defined by their aspirations, not their living conditions.
- Community-Led Vigilance: Build grassroots protection networks in vulnerable neighborhoods including Narkeldanga, Rajabazar, and Belgachia.
Different Realities. Shared Dreams. A Kinder Kolkata.
Building a safer city for children requires collective action. SPAN invites partners, community members, and citizens to join hands in ensuring every child in Kolkata is safe, heard, protected, and empowered.
