Dimapur, Dec. 11 (EMN): AIDA’s Child Friendly Initiatives in the districts of Dimapur and Chümoukedima, held a walkathon as part of the children’s campaign on the theme ‘Protect children from violence’ on December 7.
The walkathon started at 7th Mile junction to the DC complex in Chümoukedima, coving a distance of six km, with an aim to create awareness on protection of children from all forms of violence, an update stated.
It stated that around 100 Child Rights Club members from different Child Rights Clubs joined the walkathon along with the Child Rights facilitators and animators.
The walkathon was part of the children’s campaign activities, which was officially launched by Mhalo Humtsoe, additional deputy commissioner of Dimapur, on December 1 at AIDA, in the presence of dignitaries and representatives from different organisations and institutions.
The objective was to bring together different child rights clubs in Dimapur and Chümoukedima under a single platform and to create awareness to protect children from all forms of violence including physical, psychological, sexual violence and neglect.
It informed that the children’s campaign would continue at various locations through a variety of activities undertaken by children till December 13.
Programme coordinator of AIDA’s Child Friendly Initiatives in Dimapur and Chümoukedima, Garrol Lotha, stated that it was a peaceful and silent way to create awareness in the community and “to reassert our duties and responsibilities as individuals.”
Addressing the children during the walkathon, she stressed on the five pointers on how an individual can protect children from all forms of violence-- understanding the facts about child abuse, to create safer environment that can help in reducing the risk of violence, to talk openly about violence to break down barriers and reduce stigma, to recognise the signs of violence or abuse and to react responsibly by intervening as a responsible individual.