Cyberabad civic body joins hands with UNICEF India, opens Child Rights Secretariat Cell

The Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC), in partnership with UNICEF India, has launched an initiative to promote child-friendly urban governance by recognising children and adolescents as "Junior Citizens" and incorporating their perspectives into city planning.

Hyderabad: Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC), in association with UNICEF India, held a session on ‘Junior Citizens: A Child-Friendly and Safe Cyberabad’ on Friday, outlining plans to create a safer, inclusive and child-friendly urban environment.

A Child Rights Secretariat Cell was inaugurated at CMC head office in Gachibowli to provide an institutional platform for coordination on child rights and child-friendly urban governance. CMC Commissioner G Srijana said in a press release that the proposed approach would recognise children and adolescents as Junior Citizens and incorporate their needs and perspectives into city planning and development, covering streets, parks, schools, public spaces, mobility, essential services and safety.

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The proposed programme envisages structured, zone-wise consultations with children in Serilingampally, Kukatpally and Quthbullapur. Their suggestions would inform plans for safe school routes, pedestrian infrastructure, parks, public spaces, water and sanitation, mobility and community safety, with priorities tailored to each zone, she said.

UNICEF India Deputy Representative Jesper Moller and other UNICEF officials attended the event.