Dimapur, June 12 : District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Peren, had organized a one-day sensitization programme with main focus on child trafficking and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012 in Peren town on June 12 with the Juvenile Justice Board, Child Welfare Committee, Special Juvenile Police Unit, Ward leaders, woman, youth, students organisation and Anganwadi workers etc.
The main objective of the programme was to sensitize stakeholders and public leaders about the prevailing situation of child trafficking in Peren district as Peren district reported the highest child trafficking cases in the State and to connect law with the rural people so that the rural children could become the beneficiaries of the various schemes available under Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) provided by the Ministry of Woman and Child Development.
Resource persons were Neinguvotuo Krose, Asungbe (Legal cum Probation Officers) and Veni Vese, SDPO Peren. They highlighted that missing and trafficked children constituted a complex phenomenon spanning a range of possibilities from children who may have intentionally decided to move away or those who have been forcibly abducted. However, all of them run the risk of slipping into increasingly fragile, abusive and disempowering situations.
On POCSO Act 2012, resource persons said the act was passed in 2012 and implemented in 2013. It is a comprehensive Act and special law for the protection of children from sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography. This act provides child friendly mechanism at any stages of judicial proceedings.
In a keynote address, Z Nyusietho Nyuthe, Society Director State Child Protection Society (SCPS), highlighted about the delivery structures set up in the districts such as District Child Protection Unit, Juvenile Justice Board, Child Welfare Committee and Special Juvenile Police Unit. He also shared about the scheme available for the children in conflict with laws and children in need of care and protection under DCPU like sponsorship, adoption, after- care and foster care etc.
The programme was chaired by Nzwaheing Iheilung, Superintendant of Observation Home, Peren, while the welcome address was delivered by Miss Ruzonuo Rita Rutsa, DCPO, invocation by pastor of Peren Baptist Church and role play on child trafficking performed by the residents of Zeme Children’s home.
In a similar porogramme, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Tuensang, organized a sensitization programme on child rights in Kuthur, Holongba, Tuensang villages and Panso town on May 26 and 28 and on June 3 and 4 respectively. The programmes were based on responsibilities of adults towards care and protection of a child.
Resource persons namely NS Khaikho, District Child Protection Officer (IC); and Pakhiu Khiamniungan, Advocate and secretary of Child Welfare Committee, Tuensang, highlighted on Child rights and protection, Integrated child protection scheme and its component, Role of village level child protection committee, Juvenile Justice Act, Protection of child from sexual offence and Prohibition of child labour.
It exclusively dealt with the child rights to survival, right to physical, mental and emotional development, principle of child right to participate in decision affection his interest, principle of best interest and principle of family responsibility. The programme was a success with huge attendance.
