About
We believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and equal start in life, regardless of background. We support Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and children from marginalized families.
Our work includes legal support, counseling, education, and skill development. Our programs focus on breaking cycles of neglect, abuse, and poverty. Through our Centres for Learning and Empowerment (CLE), 50+ students receive foundational education, English and computer literacy, workshops, field visits, and skill-building activities for a self-reliant future.
How we Started
The Core Team at Dhanak recognized the need to address the roots of gender-based discrimination and the lack of confidence adults—especially young women—face when making major life decisions. Many adolescent girls experience guilt and fear when acting against parental expectations. The rise in missing-girl reports and cases of romantic relationships brought before the Child Welfare Committees (CWC) highlighted the urgency of supporting adolescents from marginalized communities. In response, Dhanak began working with adolescent girls and children in Trilokpuri, Chilla Village, and other underserved areas of East Delhi.
Our Work
Work With CNCPs
Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) are referred to Dhanak by six Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) in Delhi for support and rehabilitation. Acting as a Support Person, Dhanak has been handling POCSO and abduction-related cases since 2019. After restoration, many adolescent girls are withdrawn from schools and sent to their native villages by parents, often leading to isolation and even child marriage. Dhanak’s Support Persons work closely with CWCs, Police, DSLSA, DCW, parents, and government schools under POCSO and the Juvenile Justice Act. Counseling is provided at home, CWC, and Dhanak’s office to build family trust, extend support to the entire family, and transform crisis into opportunity.
Work With CMFs
During our work with CNCPs it was realized that majority of them are either the students in government schools or are staying with their families in urban villages, slums, resettlement colonies or localities that are considered irregular by the civic authorities in Delhi. Their parents are working as helpers, drivers, construction workers, domestic help etc. Therefore, Dhanak also started working with the children of marginalized families (CMF) who are not CNCPs.
Every child needs care, protection, and a chance to thrive. Our programs focus on children in vulnerable situations, including Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and Children of Marginalized Families (CMF).
We work with two primary categories of vulnerable children:
● Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP): they are victims of neglect,
child sexual abuse, exploitation or violence.
● Children of Marginalized Families (CMF): they are survivors of hostile living
conditions and poverty. They are victims of limited resources and opportunities.
Our Interventions
Our interventions are aligned with national child protection laws such as:
● The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act)
● The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012
Together, we’re giving children the tools, trust, and opportunities to reclaim their
childhoods and build stronger futures.
To protect, empower, and uplift marginalized children and their communities through education, legal aid, counseling, and skill development. We aim to break the culture of silence and violence by mainstreaming child rights in every sphere by working with their families and other important stakeholders.
A world where every child, regardless of class, caste, or circumstance grows up safe, respected, and free from discrimination. A society where human rights are not a privilege but a promise kept for every child, every time. A future where every child has many reasons to smile.
Guidance
Counselling
Functional Literacy
Skill Development
Financial aid
Empowerment
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Here are the top questions most people should be aware of.
