SEIJOSA, Oct 7: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), in collaboration with the Pakke Kessang district administration and District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) under the Department of Women and Child Development, conducted a two-day awareness and child welfare assessment programme here on October 6 and 7.
Held under the theme “Know Your Rights—Protect Every Child”, the programme began with a workshop on child rights awareness and community sensitisation on October 6, followed by field visits and assessment of child welfare facilities on October 7.
Deputy Commissioner Likha Tejji, who along with Zilla Parishad Chairperson Pani Tayum and ADC Seijosa Horki Diyum attended the inaugural session, appreciated the initiative and urged participants to make full use of the programme to strengthen their understanding of the legal rights and protection mechanisms available to children.
APSCPCR members Honluk Lukham and Miti Libang, along with resource persons from various fields, spoke on child rights, the Juvenile Justice Act, child protection mechanisms, the POCSO Act, child sexual abuse, child labour and child marriage.
Other sessions covered the Right to Education, school safety, bullying and ragging, inclusion, mental health and emotional wellbeing, substance abuse, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, online safety, social media misuse, digital child protection and online gaming.
School students, principals, headmasters and teachers, PRI leaders, Gaon Burahs, women’s organisations, SHGs, CBOs and NGOs, besides members of the Child Welfare Committee and Juvenile Justice Board and officials from the Women and Child Development, Education and Police departments, participated in the programme.
The programme began with a welcome address by S C Tok, CDPO (HQ)-cum-DCPO, DCPU, Pakke Kessang, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Tenzin Chomu, CDPO, Seijosa.
On the second day, the APSCPCR team visited health centres, Anganwadi centres and residential schools in Seijosa and Dissing Passo circles to assess existing facilities and identify issues requiring intervention.