Child Welfare Committees and Their Role in the Implementation of Juvenile Justice Regulations

Abstract

Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) are the foundation of child protection in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, since they act as quasi-judicial authorities that guarantee children in need of care and protection receive timely legal, social, and psychological support. This study examines the creation, role, and function of CWCs in carrying out the juvenile justice rules across India. Using secondary data from public and institutional reports, supported by a simulation of the performance, the study examines the effects of CWCs as well as a discussion of systemic challenges and reforms to enhance the structure. The results of the study show that indeed CWCs improved the mechanisms for child protection, despite the many concerns such as resource constraints, the unevenness of training, and monitoring that restrict effectiveness.