In a major step towards child safety, the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) in Idukki has rolled out a new initiative called “Koodu” to safeguard underage girls in plantation laborer families.

With many tea, coffee, and rubber estate workers spending long hours away from home, young girls are often left unsupervised—making them vulnerable to exploitation, including sexual abuse, as highlighted in a Daily Thanthi report.

To counter this, DCPU has converted all anganwadis in the district into safe daytime shelters for girls below 18 years. From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., while their parents are at work, these girls can stay in a secure, supervised environment. The anganwadis will allow the children to read, revise schoolwork, and engage in meaningful, safe activities.

The initiative aims to create a protective net around children in remote and high-risk plantation zones. “Koodu” was officially launched on Friday and will be gradually implemented across the district in multiple phases.

Authorities believe this model could set a precedent for similar high-risk rural areas elsewhere in the state and country.

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