Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 3
The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) Kohima under the aegis of Department of Social Welfare today sensitized the village council and church leaders under Western Angami area on child rights and child protection at Sechu Zubza.
The participants have been updated on functioning of Child Welfare Committee, Childline, Observation Home, Child Protection Committee, Juvenile Justice Act etc.
Addressing this sensitization programme as guest speaker, Sechu Zubza SDO ( C ) Mhomo Tungoe said that “children are our future” and urged that one has to give them right to grow and overall development in the right perspective.
He said it is the responsibility of the parents to not only take care of their children education and meeting daily requirements but they have to focus on their overall personality development. Tungoe said that it is the duty of parents to keep vigil on child’s character, performance and motivate them in the right way so that “we can expect them to grow into responsible citizens.”
Village Level Child Protection Committee
Rokokhrielie Gwirie, programme officer, Child Protection Services, Nagaland called for activating the Village Level Child Protection Committee in the state.
This Committee handles matters concerned with children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection at the village level.
The formation of VCPC has been necessitated to garner the participation of all the communities and villagers at the grassroots level.
It is mandatory to report the case of a child found separated from his/her guardian to the competent authority. Non-reporting of information about children in need of care and protection is regarded as an offence and liable to imprisonment or fine.
He also felt that proper reporting system of children in need or care and protection, will go a long way in enabling the children to access their due rights and live in congenial atmosphere.
Gwirie informed that the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) has it presence in Kohima, Dimapur and Mon at present.
This agency regulates, monitor and promote legal adoption in the state and to take care children in need of care and protection. He stressed on the need to go for legalize adoption to avoid any complication.
He also dwelt on Sponsorship facility which can be applied through the respective DCPU in the state. The fundamental principle behind the Sponsorship fund is to ensure every child’s right to grow up in a family. Sponsorship support will be provided to a family to enable a child to continue to remain in the family preventing children from becoming destitute, vulnerable, running away.
Childline 1098
Childline member Asilie Sorhie said that Childline 1098 is 24X7 toll free emergency phone outreach service for children in need of care and protection. Alongwith 470 Childline across the country, three Childlines are functioning at Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung in Nagaland.
Since the introduction of Childline Kohima, it has handled 370 cases, mainly on missing children/run away child and abuse of children.
Childline extend services in the area of missing children, abused children, run away children, medical assistance, child labour, street children, differently-abled children and all kinds of children in need of care and protection. In this, Sorhie urged the concerned to dial 1098 whenever one comes across a child in distress.
Child Welfare Committee
Child Welfare Committee (CWC) chairman Khriehuzo Lohe said that the Committee has taken up 376 cases so far. CWC has been established in every district in Nagaland. This Committee has the final authority to dispose of cases for the care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation of children in need or care and protection and to provide for their basic needs and protection of human rights.
Stating that the Government has framed many laws for care and protection of children, he called upon the people to strictly follow the same.
Esther Nakhro, superintendent Observation Home Kohima shared the overview of Observation Home in the state. Keynote address was delivered by Kohima District Child Protection Officer Povezo Puro while Megoneituo Kielienyu, legal cum probation officer, DCPU chaired the programme. Vote of thanks was delivered by Ruth Mero, PO (IC), DCPU, Kohima.
