Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani has said that the Government has helped in reuniting three lakh missing children with their families in the last nine years. She also mentioned that the government has also helped over seven lakh children in the same period. Ms. Irani said this while addressing the Regional Symposium on Child Protection, Safety, and Child Welfare in New Delhi on 2nd July 2023, Sunday.

In her keynote address, she said that the government has taken several initiatives to ensure children's development and protection. She said the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, was amended and the adoption law was simplified so that any interested parents could adopt a child without appearing in court.

Ms. Irani highlighted that her Ministry is working to provide funds to girls for foster care, who were rescued from trafficking, especially in border areas.    

Our correspondent reports that Ms. Irani also launched an online course on child rights, especially focused on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. Minister of State for Women and Child Development Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai, Chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Priyank Kanoongo, and other dignitaries of the ministry were also present at the event. Officers of various departments under the ministry from nine States participated in the Regional Symposium.