Community-based child protection mechanisms in rural India: An exploration of some key challenges

Community-based child protection mechanisms (CBCPMs) have emerged as preventive and responsive approaches to address diverse child protection threats that arise at different levels in the community. By drawing upon an empirical study carried out in rural Odisha, this paper reports on some key challenges in safeguarding children and young people. Through an examination of stakeholder views and experiences (n=59 respondents), it is suggested that family co-operation is vital, and that better linkages need to be built between local and national child welfare instruments and policies.