State observes World Day against Trafficking in Persons

Dimapur, July 31 (EMN): To commemorate the United Nation’s-World Day against Trafficking in Persons, which is observed worldwide, a series of awareness programme was organized in collaboration with key stakeholders in Kohima and Dimapur District on the theme “Let’s act now to protect and assist trafficking victims.” The United Nations member states adopted a resolution and designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons in 2013. The resolution declared that such a day was necessary to raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights. Awareness prog at RGHSS: An awareness programme was conducted at Razhukhrie Government Higher Secondaey School, Kohima, by Nagaland State Social welfare Board (NSSWB), State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW), One Stop Centre (OSC) and Women helpline (181), in collaboration with CHILDLINE (1098) Kohima and Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA). At the programme, chairperson of NSSWB Bano Vinito, exhorted the students to give their best as students so that they can equip themselves to achieve their aim and cautioned them to be careful from falling prey to negative peer pressure and temptations. The resource persons were-Zakato Chishi, panel lawyer of KDLSA, Kethoselie; CHILDLINE , Gracy Ayee, SRCW; and Repabenla Lonkumer, OSC, who shared on legal provisions, overview of human trafficking and on schemes for women and children in distress. Students actively participated in the sessions. Some of the students volunteered to be ambassadors of 1098 &181 who would act as responsible citizens and report any cases of abuse or violence. Assistant headmistress of RGHSS, Kevi Luho, in his closing remark thanked the organisers for making the children aware about their rights and imparting knowledge to be safe wherever they go. Programme with domestic workers: Ferrando Domestic Worker Alliance (FDWA), Kohima in collaboration with State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW), One Stop Centre (OSC) and Women helpline (WHL-181) at Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) office hall, Kohima organised an awareness programme. The resource persons were-Juliana Medom, SRCW; Vikhorianu Meru, OSC; Toli Assumi, OSC; Loshevi Achumi, WHL; and Floret, FDWA. The resource persons deliberated on forms of human trafficking, preventive mechanisms and services available for victims. In attendance were domestic workers from in and around Kohima. Community awareness prog at Bamunphukri: Sakhi-One Stop Centre (OSC), Dimapur, SRCW and MSW students of North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NESSIR), jointly organised a community awareness programme at Bamunphukri village. The programme was attended by SHGs, Village Council members, residents of the three blocks in the area. The resource persons, Bovili and Inatoli of OSC spoke on human trafficking, violence against women, services of OSC and 181. The Block Programme Manager, Department of Rural Development also spoke on the occasion and exhorted the participants to take preventive measures. The community members thanked the organisers for taking the imitative in reaching out to the grassroots.