Analytical Study of the Functioning, Implementation, and Challenges of Village Child Protection Committees under Mission Vatsalya in Raipur District, Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Background: Mission Vatsalya is a flagship child protection program of the Government of India that aims to strengthen community-based child protection through Village Child Protection Committees (VCPCs). The present study examined the functioning, implementation, and challenges of VCPCs under Mission Vatsalya in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh.

Methods: A mixed-method analytical research design was adopted. The study was conducted in 30 purposively selected Gram Panchayats of Raipur district, involving 240 respondents selected through purposive sampling. Primary data were collected using a structured interview schedule, while Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted to obtain qualitative insights.

Results: The findings showed that 52.91% of respondents agreed that VCPCs had been properly constituted, 66.66% reported adequate stakeholder representation, and 49.58% perceived that the committees actively addressed child protection issues. Awareness of Mission Vatsalya was reported by 45.42% of respondents. Inadequate financial resources (59.58%), social barriers (42.92%), and limited community participation (44.16%) emerged as major challenges. Qualitative findings further revealed irregular committee meetings, inadequate training, weak interdepartmental coordination, and limited financial support as barriers affecting the effective functioning of VCPCs. Conclusion: VCPCs have strengthened community-based child protection under Mission Vatsalya; however, their effectiveness remains constrained by financial, administrative, and social challenges. Strengthening capacity building, resource allocation, interdepartmental convergence, community awareness, and monitoring mechanisms is essential to improve child protection at the grassroots level