Kolkata : Child in Need Institute (CINI), a leading organization dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly children, recently hosted a state-level conference in collaboration with the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) on ‘Making the City Safe, Inclusive, and Gender-Sensitive for All’ in Kolkata.
The event was organized under the Project G-SAFE+ (Generating Safe Area for Everyone, including the LGBTQIA+ Community in Eastern India) with support from Terre des Hommes, Germany.
This initiative aimed to provide a collaborative platform for key stakeholders from government, non-government, and corporate sectors, along with community representatives, to engage in meaningful discussions on gender-sensitive urban planning that enhances the overall health and well-being of all citizens.
The plenary session, titled “Building a Visionary, Inclusive & Safe City for Children and Youth of All Genders,” focused on strategies to ensure safer environments for marginalized communities, including children, adolescents, youth, and LGBTQIA+ individuals in urban slums.
The event was honored by the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including the Honorable Chairperson of WBCPCR, Director of Health Services, SPD of SSM, Director of the Institute of Psychiatry, Director of the West Bengal Transgender Development Board, Member Secretary of SLSA, Executive Director of Utkarsha Bangla, DRM of Sealdah, Director of the Directorate of CRT, Meghendra Banarjee, Chief of Programme , and representatives from CINI Kolkata, along with officials from project intervention areas, government bodies, national and international NGOs, and corporate leaders.
Throughout the discussions, speakers underscored the urgent need for inclusive policies, community engagement, and gender-sensitive frameworks in urban development to create the world we want, where every individual, regardless of gender or socio-economic background, can live in safety and dignity.
A highlight of the event was a spectacular dance drama performed by adolescents and youth from the project intervention area, promoting a vision of an equitable and gender-sensitive urban space that prioritizes the health and well-being of all.
With over five decades of experience, CINI remains committed to ensuring that children and adolescents have access to their fundamental rights to health, nutrition, education, protection, and participation. Operating across seven states, including Odisha, CINI continues to drive impactful social change, shaping a healthier, more inclusive world we want for future generations.
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