Dimapur, Feb. 26: With the aim of bringing justice to children particularly the child domestic workers, child labourers and those children who have no hope, a Day of Hope was celebrated on the theme “It is a time to change our attitude and learn to treat children better.”
The programme was jointly organised by Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID) and National Domestic Workers Movement – Child Right Movement. Since 2013, ACID and NDWM-Child Right Movement have been celebrating the Day of Hope. The day is observed to brings healing to community as it unite together to speak openly about the babies and children who are no longer here on earth. It is also observed to bring hope to the hopeless, voice to the voiceless, love to the loveless, care for the uncared, and to become the channels of love, peace and joy to the people around and especially to those deprived children.
Rev. Sr. Benny Fernandes, Vice Provincial of Ursuline Franciscan Congregation, who was the chief guest of the programme, said to receive rights and justice there is a continuous struggle for freedom.
‘We need to defend the basic human rights for all children, the right to survival, to develop to the fullest, protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation and to participate fully in family,’ she added.
Sr. Pramila, State coordinator for NDWM and Director of Assisi Centre for Integrated Development, urged on the need to change our attitude to bring hope and guidance for children who are in domestic work and ensure every children below the age of 18 to maintain their rights to enjoy their childhood happiness regardless of creed, colors, races and religious statutes.
Resource person Ms Loza, Coordinator for CHILDLINE, explained in detail on the rights of children in present day scenario, while Ms Nikita, District Legal Panellist, highlighted on the legal provisions that are available for the children. In her presentation, she impressed upon the importance of education till the age of 14 years. Child rights movement representative Vicky Sharma put forward the plight of children in Nagaland.
CRM Coordinator Sr. Jobina, with her assistants, formed 20 child participation groups both in and around Dimapur with the aim of identifying those children who are deprived of their rights and to promote a platform to bring forth the hidden capacities and abilities.
Goanbura of Lake View Colony I Meren Jamir expressed gratitude for organising the programme and sought on the need for parents, children and likeminded people to work together for the betterment of the society. Also highlighting that children are our hope, he expressed the need to give them hope for the future. Altogether 350 persons attended the programme.
