CPWB takes 2990 destitute children in protective custody

Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) has taken 2990 destitute and neglected children in protective custody across the province in 2022, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.

According to a progress report 2022 issued by CPWB, it is stated that in order to provide care, rehabilitation, education, and training to destitute and neglected children, the bureau is playing a vital role. 

The report says that 2,339 boys and 651 destitute girls were taken into custody. The Bureau's Family Tracing Wing handed over 1,700 missing and runaway children to their families after tracing them. Apart from this, 2152 children were handed over to their parents.

The report adds Child Helpline 1121 has received 1349 calls so far this year, and the bureau has taken 641 children into its custody. “More offices of CPWB are being established in different districts of Punjab. 

At present, the bureau is working in nine districts including Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Multan, Rawalpindi, Rahim Yar Khan, Sialkot, Sahiwal while the construction work of CPWB buildings is going on in 12 districts to house the destitute and neglected children.

The report said public awareness campaigns were launched against children beggary. A large number of beggar children were rescued with the help of Lahore Police and City Traffic Police officials. Around 15 destitute children were provided jobs in the Bureau.  Apart from this, a nursing training course was organized for girls, after completion of which certificates were given to eight girls and these girls are working in different hospitals.

The Chairperson Child Protection Bureau received the Global Collaborative Award in Italy for work to prevent child exploitation, which has been awarded to only 10 people worldwide.

 Child Protection Bureau was established in 2004. One of the objectives for the establishment of this Bureau is to protect these children from criminals. This institution not only provides food and shelter but also imparts education and skills to these children to make them useful citizens.