Our Correspondent
Diphu, July 29 (EMN): An outreach programme of Childline, Kabi Anglong was held at the Believers Eastern Church, Rongjangphong, Diphu here on Friday, July 27, with the purpose of creating awareness among the staffs and members of the church as well as the general public on child care.
The programme was jointly organised by Bridge of Hope, Diphu diocese and Childline, Karbi Anglong. Childline is a project supported by Union Ministry of Women and Child development. In Karbi Anglong Childline has its head office at Jirsong Asong.
The Believers Eastern Church is a parent organisation supporting the Childline project being implemented in Karbi Anglong district. Free toll number of Childline, Karbi Anglong is 1098.
Centre Coordinator, Childline, Karbi Anglong, Bulu Terang explaining about the importance of childline in the district said it is a helpline through which the various issues and problems of children can be addressed and also help those children in need.
In othe parts of India Childline has been introduced from before, but Karbi Anglong is late.
But never the less the care and protection of children can be taken through the Childline, he said.
Terang said child trafficking is very prevelant in India and in terms of child labour the county is second after Africa in the world. Children between the age of 14-16 being forced to earn from physical labour is a crime.
If a child has attained above the age of 16 and want to earn, but then he/she has to register in labour union, the Centre Coordinator, Childline said.
Terang also mentioned about the cases of rape of minors and child molestation that are prevelant. But under various child protection acts and introduction of new laws in the country has become more stringent in awarding punishment to the offenders.
Deprivation of education under Right to Education by the Government of India is also enforcing child labour on children as every child is entitled to get the free and compulsory education.
Terang also said that engaging in phycial labour as domestic help among children is included in child labour.
“There are many instances, where due to poverty and other reasons the child do not get proper education at primary level and when she/she comes to Diphu staying in relative or known family for going to school.
The child due to acquire in age, but her/his knowing is below standard slowly feels hasitate to go to school.
According to International Labour Organiastion an estimate of 2.5 million children between the ages of 5-7 are child labour working under hazardous and extremely exploitative condition, Terang stated.
The causes of increase of child labour are due to illiteracy, poverty, ignorance and expolation.
Through Childline, Karbi Anglong can help children in of care and protection and giving them dignity to live like others, Terang explained.
Terang also brought out few cases of child labour and exploitation, which he has documented.
