Why in news?

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the States/ Union Territories to appoint a Child Welfare Police Officer (CWPO) in every police station to exclusively deal with children, either as victims or perpetrators.

Highlights:

• Acting on an advisory issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the Home Ministry referred to provisions under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, calls for designating at least one officer, not below the rank of an Assistant Sub-Inspector, as CWPO in every station.
• The unit would comprise CWPOs and two social workers having experience of working in the field of child welfare, of whom one shall be a woman, to co-ordinate all functions of police in relation to children.
• The contact particulars of the CWPOs should be displayed in all police stations for the public to contact
• The advisory comes in the backdrop of increasing number of crimes against children, including murders and offences under the POCSO Act

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

• It is an Indian statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.
• The Commission works under the aegis of Ministry of Women and Child Development, GoI.
• Members: A chairperson who, is a person of eminence and has done an outstanding work for promoting the welfare of children; and Six members, out of which at least two are woman, is appointed by the Central Government from amongst person of eminence
• Headquarters : New Delhi, India
• Chairman: Priyank Kanoongo
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