The Rakshin Project for Anganwadi
The Rakshin Project by Sakshi aims to prevent sexual violence and create safe spaces within homes and communities. Sakshi’s vision of creating safe spaces for changemakers, i.e., Rakshins, to empower families, communities, and workplaces to identify and prevent gender-based violence aligns closely with our efforts to create safe, inclusive environments.
For those who do work in the area of early childhood, there are only a few that integrate Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) issues with child protection. Given that ECCD programs qualify as a universal intervention, their coverage tends to be wide, and ECCD workers and educators are ideally placed within the ecology model of prevention of child sexual abuse to implement protection strategies that assist children at risk of abuse and neglect, serving as effective vehicles to protect children from harm and abuse.
The purpose of The Child Protection Programme by Sakshi is to have a cohort of SASHAKT (Meaning: Empowered) RAKSHINS, who are Informed, skill-built Rakshins (Preventers) in each Anganwadi Centre to focus on Child Protection issues in the context of the overall well-being-of a child, and securing a child in instances of abuse. "SASHAKT RAKSHINS" represent empowered protectors who safeguard children's rights and well-being.
Pilot Project - Thaduppavar
Phase 1 Implementation (2024–25)
Kanchipuram (2–3 Sep): 200 participants
Thiruvallur (5–6 Sep): 150 participants
Vellore (18–20 Sep): 300 participants
Covered best practices, skill-building, and collaborative learning
Microlearning via WhatsApp groups with follow-up prompts
650+ beneficiaries trained
In partnership with Saint-Gobain India, the Rakshin Project launched a pilot workshop series in Sriperumbudur, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. This gender-transformative initiative focuses on preventing gender-based violence (GBV), with special attention to child sexual abuse.The workshops covered essential training modules, reinforcing best practices, and fostering collaborative learning. To ensure continued engagement, WhatsApp groups were created for microlearning, and prompts were distributed for reinforcing key takeaways. Through this phase, we successfully trained over 650 beneficiaries, furthering our commitment to building a well-equipped Anganwadi workforce. The program continues to drive sustainable impact by fostering skill development, community participation, and workplace safety.
Sakshi’s Rakshin Project works with Anganwadi workers and helpers to build their capacity as Champions of Change in preventing Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). They are trained to:
Recognize sexually abusive behaviors and understand child protection laws
Identify behavioral changes in children who may be experiencing abuse
Create safe spaces for children and support them through disclosures
Engage with parents and local community groups like the Panchayat, ASHA workers, and Mothers’ Clubs
These Anganwadi workers become Agents of Change, spreading awareness and mobilizing community networks—especially mothers—to form support groups that continue sharing and applying the program's learnings.
The project follows an ecological model of prevention, aiming to embed knowledge within the community so that families and local networks are empowered to prevent CSA. The long-term goal is sustainability: turning message receivers into message carriers who keep the conversation going and the children safe.
Early Childhood Protection: Anganwadi Engagement under The Rakshin Project
Why Early Childhood Matters
While child protection programs exist globally, very few address early childhood or integrate Early Childhood Care & Development (ECCD) with child protection. Anganwadi workers, with their grassroots presence, are uniquely positioned to recognise and act against Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), making them potent preventers in a child’s ecosystem.
OBJECTIVES
- Orienting the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers on identifying sexually abusive behaviours and legal compliances of child protection.
- Capacity building the Anganwadi cohort to identify behavioural changes in children in situations of abuse and to create safe spaces for children.
- Skill building the cohort to handle disclosures with parents and community (Panchayat, Samaj, ASHA, Mothers’ Club).
Our Vision
- To build an empowered Anganwadi network that:
- Understands child protection from a rights-based perspective
- Embeds CSA prevention in everyday community intelligence
- Champions safe, inclusive early childhood spaces
Phase 1 Rollout: 2024–25
As part of the scale-up, training workshops were conducted across three districts:
| Location | Participants |
|---|---|
| Kanchipuram | 200 Anganwadi Workers & Helpers |
| Thiruvallur | 150 Workers & Helpers |
| Vellore | 300 Workers & Helpers |
Workshop Highlights
- Skill-building sessions and case-based learning
- WhatsApp-based microlearning for sustained engagement
- Peer support and message amplification models
- Total beneficiaries trained: 650+
Sustainable Change: From Message Receivers to Message Carriers
This model ensures that trained Anganwadi workers become Agents of Change, not only protecting children under their care but also mobilising adults in the community networks to build a CSA prevention culture from the ground up.
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