All children have the right to be protected wherever they are — at home, in school, on the streets, and at all times — in times of peace or conflict or calamity. Their right to protection is as intrinsic to their well being, as is the right to survival, development and participation. Children deserve to live in an environment where good governance and the full enjoyment of human rights are mutually reinforcing.

In its simplest form, child protection addresses every child’s right not to be subjected to harm. It thus complements other provisions that ensure that children receive all that they need in order to survive, develop and thrive. It must relate to the child’s capacity for self-reliance and self-defence and to the roles and responsibilities of family, community, society and State.

Children are 'un-protected" and vulnerable due to both acts of ommissions  (neglect and denial of basic rights) and commission (acts of violence, abuse and exploitation).  

 Un-protectedness’ as it affects children in India requires:

• acknowledgement of the real character and dimensions of the protection issue and bringing to the fore
• correctives to address the problem through justice delivery mechanisms
• safeguards through laws, policies and programmes in place
• redressals through counselling, rehabilitation and reintegration

  Through its Child Protection Programme, HAQ undertakes:

• Legal aid to children in contact with law
• Counselling to both child victims of abuse and those in conflict with law
• Capacity building of service providers and various stakeholders such as the law enforecement officials, the judiciary, functionaries in the juvenile justice system, media and NGOs.
• Campaigns against child traffciking,child labour and violence and abuse of children
• Visits to Girls home / observation homes