Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, MARCH 20
Following the Supreme Court’s order directing that every village set up a child protection committee, the State Child Protection Society has started a campaign to mobilize every village to set up the protection mechanism to confront day-to-day child-issued related cases.
Village child protection committees mainly handle cases of children who are in need of care and protection and those in conflict with law.Setting up the mechanism also aid in educating the child to be a responsible and productive citizen. This is due to the fact that the mechanism can ensure to some extent an environment that is conducive for their social and physical wellbeing.
Speaking as the resource person during a seminar about child rights and its importance, for Kohima block at LCS building on Friday, programme officer Rokokhrielie Gwirie emphasized on ‘good upbringing of children’ and giving them proper training for them to turn out to be responsible citizens of tomorrow.
While stating that children were the supreme assets of the country, he urged all in concern to initiate measures to ensure child rights and their protection.
Addressing a host of village council leaders, Gwirie also urged them to note the urgency in setting up a strong child protection mechanism at the earliest.
“The department looks forward to engage with all the villages in the State in creating an environment where children are safe and protected. Our efforts will be a failure without the community’s support,” he said.
Though, stating that every village in the rural area has its own way of tackling cases, the resource person urged the village leaders not to handle child related cases own their own ‘limit.’ Rather, he advised, they are to approach the District Child Protection Unit and Child Welfare Committee. That way, correct and appropriate measures would be taken for juveniles who come in conflict with law and those in need of care and protection. To this, Gwirie added that the government had several schemes for the welfare eof children.
Elaborating the importance of child rights, Gwirie also reminded the gathering that children below the age of 18 years need special care and guidance. They have the right to survive, to be safe, to belong, to be heard, to receive adequate care and to grow up in a protective environment, the resource person said.
Delivering the keynote address, counselor Ruth Mero also appealed for cooperation and support from the village communities to the government venture.
“Understanding the importance that every child is an asset, let us all create a healthy environment for their better tomorrow,” Mero said.
Village leaders from Chedema, Rüsoma, Chede Model and Kohima village attended the seminar.
