Children’s Day: Why Holistic Care is Crucial for Children and the Need for an Integrated Approach

14/11/23

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Why Holistic Care is Crucial for Children

Children are the promise of our future, the budding flowers of our society, and the pillars upon which our world stands. As we celebrate Childrens Day, it serves as a joyful reminder of the significance of nurturing and safeguarding our children’s well-being. However, it is essential to understand that ensuring the holistic development of children requires a collaborative effort from NGOs, governments, and civil society, all working together in an integrated approach. This approach is the key to creating a brighter, safer, and more promising future for our children.

Child education

One of the most pressing issues that access to quality education. NGOs play a pivotal role in bridging the educational gap for underprivileged children. They provide scholarships, school supplies, and access to educational resources that allow children to dream beyond their current circumstances. Government initiatives and policies are also crucial in this regard, as they set the framework for accessible and equitable education. By collaborating with NGOs and involving civil society, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

Child healthcare is another vital aspect of holistic care, and here too, NGOs, governments, and civil society are working together to mitigate malnutrition, preventable diseases, and lack of access to healthcare services. NGOs run health camps, provide nutrition programs, and offer medical assistance to ensure that children receive the care they need. Simultaneously, governments invest in healthcare infrastructure, making quality healthcare accessible to every child. With the support of civil society, awareness can be raised on National Childrens Day on the importance of child healthcare, ensuring a healthier future for our children.

Child protection

Child protection is an issue of paramount importance. NGOs, governments, and civil society have embraced their collective responsibility to create a safe environment for them. NGOs work tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate children from adverse conditions and advocate for more comprehensive and effective child protection laws and enforcement.

Gender equality

Ensuring gender equality is an integral part of comprehensive child development. NGOs work to empower girls, providing them with education and life skills, breaking the cycle of discrimination and inequality.

Child rights advocacy

Child rights are at the core of any holistic care approach. NGOs play a critical role in advocating for and protecting the rights of children. Governments, responsive to children’s needs, work to uphold these rights and ensure their enforcement. Civil society supports these efforts by advocating for child rights and acting as watchdogs to hold authorities accountable.

Childrens Day serves as a powerful reminder of the potential and promise of our young generation. By investing in holistic care and adopting an integrated approach, we can transform the lives of millions of children, creating a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive. NGOs, with their unwavering dedication, demonstrate that positive change is possible, even in the most challenging circumstances. Governments have the resources and authority to make transformative policies that can shape the future of our children. Civil society, through its collective actions, can strengthen the bonds of community and act as a catalyst for change.

When these three pillars – NGOs, government, and civil society – work together, the impact is multiplied. They complement each other’s strengths and bridge each other’s weaknesses, creating a comprehensive and effective strategy to address children’s issues. Together, they form an unbreakable alliance, working towards a common goal: a world where every child is protected, educated, healthy, and empowered.

NGO Bal Raksha Bharat (also known as Save the Children) addresses critical issues impacting underprivileged children by collaborating with children, families, communities, and government stakeholders to develop robust solutions. They focus on creating and sustaining comprehensive programs that promote children’s growth and development, using modern technology and innovative approaches to tackle pressing children’s issues.

Their integrated approach encompasses several key areas, including education, where they work to ensure that children everywhere can access education and the opportunity to thrive. Additionally, they prioritise child protection, creating a secure environment that shields children from abuse and neglect. Bal Raksha Bharat also concentrates on health, nutrition, poverty alleviation, and disaster response, providing a well-rounded care system for children and their communities.

The NGO also champions sustainable, community-driven projects across the nation, from remote regions to urban centres. Their mission is to deliver quality education, healthcare, protection from harm, and emergency relief to children. Moreover, they actively advocate for public budgets that focus on child health, nutrition, education, protection, and social support, aiming to uplift children holistically. By collaborating with various stakeholders and addressing a range of crucial issues, they strive to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow, develop, and flourish, thereby building a brighter and more promising future for our young generation.

As we celebrate Childrens Day, let us remember the remarkable progress we have made and the incredible potential that lies ahead. Let us be inspired by the tireless efforts of NGOs, the dedication of governments, and the collective power of civil society. Let us embrace a future where children are at the heart of our society’s priorities, a future where their well-being and development are not just celebrated on National Childrens Day but nurtured every day. Together, we can create a world where children grow up in an environment filled with love, opportunity, and hope, and where their dreams can blossom, bringing us closer to a brighter and more promising future.

Geeta Lama

Lead Strategic Communication & Government Relations

“I Lead Strategic Communication & Government Relations at Bal Raksha Bharat. Based in New Delhi, I oversee Media Relations, Communication and foster relationships with government entities to promote the welfare of children. I have a strong background in public affairs and have successfully collaborated with multiple stakeholders, including NGOs and corporate partners."