CHILDLINE 1098 is a phone number that spells hope for millions of children across India. It is a 24-hour a day, 365 days a year, free, emergency phone service for children in need of aid and assistance. We not only respond to the emergency needs of children but also link them to relevant services for their long-term care and rehabilitation. We have, till date, connected to three million children across the nation offering them care and protection.
As on 13th October, 2021 CHILDLINE services are now available to children across 602 cities and districts, covering over 81% of the Indian landscape.
Child Safety Week is a collaborative movement to raise awareness and encourage collective action towards addressing the issue of Child Sexual Abuse. An entire week, in the month of November, is dedicated towards highlighting the importance of this issue through conversations and events for child safety.
1 in 2 children in India are affected by Child Sexual Abuse. Acquiring appropriate knowledge can play a great role in addressing this issue. It is important to create a dialogue on this issue, take action, and change the narrative around child safety by looking at it through a lens of hope and not fear.
This week-long campaign, held from November 14th to 21st November every year, aims to create Dosts for CHILDLINE. 'CHILDLINE Se Dosti week’ is thereby fun, an exciting awareness week, which aims at driving change at local and national level. This is accomplished by involving children across various communities, and getting them to interact with authorities in the area to sensitize them towards the cause of Child Rights. The initiative was conceptualised with the hope of creating millions of ‘Dosts’ for CHILDLINE, and to familiarize people with CHILDLINE 1098 that serves children in distress. Take the Dosti Pledge and become a CHILDLINE Dost.
Full Form of Dosti
D – Dial 1098 to help my DOST
O – Object/Oppose any harm being caused to my DOST
S – Speak out against those who cause harm to my DOST
T – Treat my DOST with dignity, respect, and love
I – Promise and commit to be a true CHILDLINE DOST