The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations: Protection of Vulnerable Children in India

Abstract

Child protection remain critical concerns in India. The concepts of childhood and child-rearing vary based on socio-cultural, economic, religious, and political factors. While several laws and policies to safeguard and promote children's well-being were introduced by the government, millions of children still do not have equal access to their rights and protection. Among all sections of society, children are considered as the most neglected and vulnerable. Many children remain vulnerable to risks such as poverty, exploitation, abuse, lack of education and healthcare, child marriage, trafficking, and child labor etc. To address the gaps in government interventions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role by offering support services, advocating child rights, and contributing to policy development to ensure protection for vulnerable children. The paper is based on secondary sources including both conceptual and empirical data. It attempts to explore the contributions of NGOs in the protection of children. It emphasizes their role in various programs and strategies to provide care, education, legislation, policies and advocacy for children at-risk. It also examines the challenges faced by NGOs. The paper thus examines the role of NGOs in protecting vulnerable children from the perspective of child rights, outlines key findings on this major issue, and highlights the need to protect India's children while promoting their holistic development in a secure environment.