New Delhi, Dec 13 (PTI) Expressing deep concern over exploitation of children, civil society organisations on Monday launched a national alliance aimed at strengthening protection mechanisms and enforcement of child rights.

The India Child Protection Forum (ICPF) was launched by Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi here.

Also Read | Kidnapped Kanpur Computer Savvy Uses GPS to Save Herself.

Noted social activist and former IPS officer Amod Kanth has been made the forum's national convener, according to a joint statement by participating NGOs.

To deliberate on different aspects of child trafficking and sexual abuse, the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation also organised a four-day symposium.

Also Read | iQOO 9 Specifications Reportedly Emerge Online, Launch Expected Next Year.

The consultation saw participation of more than 70 civil society organisations, such as Prayas, Shakti Vahini, Bachpan Bachao Andolan and Prajwala.

“India Child Protection Forum is the beginning of a bigger resolution, a bigger pledge. The forum has been formed with the objective of fulfilling shared determination, dreams and ideas,” Satyarthi said.

It is a coalition of various civil society organisations that will work to end child abuse and child slavery, he said.

"The forum will change the social thinking and policies towards children and will spread the social consciousness. Through the forum, we will try to build an India where no child will be exploited in any way,” Satyarthi said.

Highlighting ICPF's objectives, Kanth said, “The forum will work towards providing social protection to children who are deprived of basic facilities in our country.”

“The number of such children in the country is more than three crores. We will try to get those children who are unable to go to school due to social, economic disparities, admitted to schools,” Kanth said.

The forum will ensure that children are free from any kind of abuse and exploitation, the former IPS officer said.

Other civil society organisations, who are part of ICPF, had independent deliberation on ways to prevent child trafficking and sexual abuse at the grassroots level and discussed challenges posed by new emerging forms of trafficking, including use of online medium.

Lawmakers, civil society organisations, heads of agencies and child rights experts also participated in the consultation.

The speakers made multiple important suggestions and pressed for immediate passage of the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021. -- Uzmi Athar http://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpg “We bring the World to you" Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)