Kiphire, August 5 (MExN): The Childline Advisory Board (CAB) of Kiphire district conducted a meeting on August 4 to deliberate on issues relating to the welfare of children.
According to a DIPR report received on Friday, some of the agendas highlighted by the CAB included the need to initiate “timely check up on major places where children hang out at night” as Kiphire has a good number of substance abusers among the children leading to thievery.
The Board discussed the possibility of maintaining a child-friendly room at the police stations and the need to conduct programmes for church leaders, and the student bodies on child-related issues as many cases go unreported. It also highlighted the lack of a gynecologist at the Kiphire District Hospital.
On the occasion, Childline Director, Tsusu Mary underscored the difficulty faced by the organization in convincing parents whose children have been abused, as most parents opined that exposing the abuse would affect the child’s career and bring bad reputation. She attributed this stigma as being one of the reasons why many cases go unreported.
Mary also highlighted provisions of the Protection of Children against Sexual Offenses (POCSO Act), and urged all the departments to support the Ministry in every aspect to bring positive changes to the Kiphire district.
Meanwhile, Kiphire Deputy Commissioner T Wati Aier encouraged the Childline team to organize sensitization and awareness programme for church leaders and the parents so that they can disseminate the information to the children.
Childline coordinator Levi reported on their activities and informed that they are collecting data about the children under the age of 18 years who are staying and working with foster parents and relatives through the village council, the DIPR report stated.
