Building a Safer and Stronger Environment for Children in Mhasali Village

In July 2025, members of the Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC) gathered in Mhasali, in Gadchiroli District, Maharashtra to review the progress made since their last meeting. The agenda was clear: to assess how far the community had come in addressing child protection and school infrastructure concerns, and to ensure that every child in Mhasali could learn and grow in a safe, nurturing environment.

During the Gram Sabha held in August 2024, the VCPC had presented several pressing concerns related to the village’s Zilla Parishad school, from basic infrastructure to safety measures for children. Encouragingly, the Gram Panchayat responded promptly to some of these. A long-pending toilet construction in the school was completed, providing much-needed sanitation facilities for students and teachers. The broken kitchen set used for mid-day meals was repaired, allowing meals to be prepared and served hygienically. Additionally, a complaint box was installed in the school, an important step that gave children a safe way to share their concerns and strengthened the village’s child protection mechanisms.

However, not all issues raised in 2024 were fully addressed. The installation of CCTV cameras in the school, a vital safety measure, remained pending. Similarly, construction of a new Anganwadi building had yet to begin, leaving the youngest children with limited space and inadequate facilities for early childhood education and care.

In May 2025, as part of their regular activities in the village, the Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC) conducted an Anganwadi Nigrani and engaged in discussions with the children’s group regarding issues at the school. The visit confirmed existing problems and brought to light three new concerns.

Firstly, the school lacked a water filter, forcing students to drink unsafe water. Secondly, there were insufficient play materials, which limited the children’s opportunities for recreation and overall development. Lastly, the absence of separate bathrooms for girls and boys continued to compromise privacy and dignity, particularly impacting regular school attendance among adolescent girls.

While Mhasali had made meaningful progress on several fronts, these unresolved and newly emerging issues underscored that the journey towards a child-friendly village was far from over. Recognising this, the VCPC resolved to develop a time-bound action plan in collaboration with the Gram Panchayat and school authorities, one that prioritises safety, health, and dignity for every child.

As one VCPC member aptly said, “Our children deserve not just schools and buildings, but spaces that protect, nurture, and empower them.”

Through consistent follow-up, community participation, and collaboration with local authorities, Mhasali’s VCPC continues to demonstrate how collective village action can build safer, stronger foundations for children’s futures.

Published: 05 Feb 2026