Our Presence

Odisha or Orissa is a state which is basking in the glory of economic growth, liberalization, industrialization and development in education but Voice for Child Rights-Odisha have repeatedly presented the underlying truth of poverty and lack of development of tribal people still being existent in the State. Continuous surveys done by us has revealed that Government schemes like Antodoya Anna Yojna, Annapurna Anna Yojna, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), mid-day meal scheme, Food for Work, National Family Benefit Scheme, National Old Age Pension scheme, Widow Pension scheme, National Disabled Pension scheme and Balika Samridhi Yojna, these schemes have failed to deliver because of the apathetic attitude of the people in power and a corrupt system.

As per VCRO’s findings, malnourishment stands at 28.5 per cent among children in the 1-2 years category, followed by 25.7 per cent in the 2-3 years category. The assessment also found malnutrition among 19.1 per cent, 15.7 per cent and 11 per cent of children among the 4-5 years, 3-4 years and less than 1 year categories. It was found that 13.2 per cent of eligible children are out of the Anganwadi net which is a cause for major worry. After 40 years of implementation of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, its benefits still haven’t reached all children.

With a child population of about 6million issues relating to children were never highlighted in any government or electoral campaigns. VCRO played the vital role in creating awareness among people of Odisha and amassed tribal people to make them understand and demand child rights.

Voice For Child Right Orissa demanded that all political parties make commitment to provide uniform and quality education to all children with a healthy teacher-student ratio, enhancement of budgetary provision for primary education by 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product and Prohibition on child labour should be strictly implemented.

VCRO was successful in sensitizing and involving people from all walks of life, civil society groups, youths about the need to amend the Commission for Protection of Rights of Children Act and placing demands to the Government.

AS the development initiatives are ending up with loss of land, forests, water resources and livelihood, the VCRO members also urged the Government to put emphasis again on  agricultural practices by giving more assistance to farmers and thus help families and the children thereby.

They also demanded reintroduction of the public distribution system to help bring down prices and assure food for the poor and marginalised people.

VCRO is active in every districts of Odisha for the past so many years and has included CSOs, people’s organizations, dignitaries, local people, in all their campaigns to ensure building a society that have protection and development of children as their primary concern.