Software for Tracking Vulnerable Children

Abstract

This paper describes innovation in visualization of a comprehensive software solution (ChildNet) which assists in effective management and tracking of Vulnerable Children in India. This welfare activity particularly focuses on Children in Distress (CID) and their rehabilitation through various initiatives and collaborations with partners/NGOs across India. The main objectives of the System are to help Children in distress and to have complete transparency of the activities by various stakeholders across the programme. This is inline with the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) which is an integral part of the Ministry of Women and Children Development (Government of India). The innovation was to setup a free national helpline (Tel no. 1098) which would assist in initiating and recording Child Vulnerability Incidents across India. The System is designed to address Child Vulnerability Issues like Abuse & Violence, child Trafficking, Child Labor, child in Conflict with Law, Child Marriage, Child Sexual Abuse, Child without Parental Care, Street Children (without Shelter), , Disabilities, Health issues, Drug Abuse, Gender bias (Girl Child), HIV-AIDS, Missing Children. The System also assists to record collaboration from Government, Public and Private Sectors for addressing this challenge collectively. Comprehensive solution was developed to assist programme in aligning priorities of initiatives and track the progress made in each of the child Intervention case. This resulted in bringing about visibility and accountability with traceability for the initiative with trend analysis. The system is presently operational in 170 cities in 30 States and Union Territories in India and has assisted to address more than 10 million calls so far.