Leher

Leher's preventive child protection programme operates at the district level, recognizing districts as crucial hubs where various systems connect. In partnership with local administration and NGOs, it has designed a 3-5 year modular initiative. This programme focuses on building child-friendly communities to prevent child abuse and exploitation. Research indicates that communities have the capacity to address chronic issues like child labour and child marriage with the right support. Leher's goal is to empower communities with awareness, understanding, mobilization skills, and the ability to advocate for and monitor child protection, ultimately preventing child abuse and exploitation over a 5-year period.

Leher focuses on strengthening child protection systems by evaluating existing laws and services, identifying gaps, and providing solutions through research, training, and evaluation. Its efforts include conducting child protection baseline surveys at the district level, collaborating with partners like UNICEF, and facilitating participatory reviews of residential care facilities. Leher also plays a pivotal role in capacity building by organising state-level consultations, training IAS officers, sensitizing District Child Protection Officers, and orienting organisations to child protection policies. Moreover, it engages in programme evaluations, assessing initiatives related to child education, preventing child marriage, and emergency helplines for children, contributing to the advancement of child protection in various contexts.

Leher's mission revolves around building a culture of child protection by addressing societal norms, policies, and dialogue that perpetuate child abuse and exploitation. It emphasizes that everyone is responsible for child rights, not just the state. Leher's programmes target diverse audiences, from communities and parents to young individuals and state agencies. It fosters awareness and dialogue on children's issues, aiming to reshape social attitudes and norms towards child protection. Additionally, Leher actively engages in campaigns, such as "Little Humans" and "No Prison for Children," to capture children's voices, dispel misconceptions, and promote meaningful discourse on child protection. Its goal is to make child protection a collective effort.