Patna: A pivotal meeting took place today between Bandana Preyashi, Secretary of Bihar’s Department of Social Welfare, and Soledad Herrero, Chief of Field Services for UNICEF India, reaffirming their joint commitment to bolstering support for children and adolescents across the state. Margaret Gwada, Chief of UNICEF Bihar, was also in attendance.
The discussions primarily centered on integrating adolescent empowerment into Bihar’s core development priorities, with a particular focus on critical areas such as life skills, education, and parental participation. UNICEF commended the Social Welfare Department’s leadership and its dedicated efforts in reaching out to underserved communities, drawing upon valuable ground-level experiences.
Advancing the State Plan of Action for Children
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to strategizing for the approval and effective implementation of the State Plan of Action for Children (SPAC). This comprehensive plan is designed as a roadmap, intrinsically linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to holistically address health, nutrition, education, protection, and adolescent development within Bihar.
UNICEF reiterated its steadfast role as a committed partner to the Bihar government, pledging continued support through initiatives focused on system strengthening, capacity building, and the deployment of evidence-based strategies. This collaborative approach seeks to ensure a far-reaching and sustainable positive impact on the lives of young people in the state.
Future Commitments for Dignity and Opportunity
Both parties mutually agreed to intensify cross-departmental coordination, expand field outreach programs, and increase investment in community-based initiatives. These concerted efforts are geared towards guaranteeing dignity, equality, and abundant opportunities for every child and adolescent throughout Bihar.
The meeting concluded as a concrete stride towards realizing a shared vision for a brighter future, marked by innovative efforts and a renewed dedication to the well-being and development of Bihar’s children and adolescents.
