Dia Mirza, Save the Children’s Artist Ambassador, attended the launch of Ministry of Women & Child Development’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Care and Protection of Children in Street Situations. She gave a powerful speech at the event where she said, “It breaks my heart to think that just in Delhi, there are over 50,000 children who live on the streets. We have to change this. The only way to change this is by engaging with these children, the government and NGOs. We have to get our children off the streets. We have to give them access to education, we have to give them an identity.”
After her meeting with Hon. Maneka Gandhi, Minister of Women and Child Development, she said “When I met the Minister, I left her office feeling so enthused because of her commitment. She said ‘I don’t want it to remain just a piece of paper. I want it to translate into action’.”
She was left inspired and overwhelmed by child champion Salman’s speech, as he recounted his experiences about life on the streets of New Delhi.
This video, narrated by Dia Mirza, covers the journey of the SOP from its inception to the formulation and its unveiling. This document provides a practical framework and guideline for a holistic approach in providing care, protection and rehabilitation of street children. Children living in Street Situations are among the most vulnerable groups.
Watch the speech here –
