Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 20
Expressing serious concern over the rampant occurrence of child abuse in Nagaland, the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare, Merentoshi R Jamir has assured that the department will put its best effort to stop child abuse in the state.
“It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to stop this child abuse,” he said while addressing the ‘World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse’ at Highland Children’s Park on November 19.
It was organized by State Child Protection Society Nagaland and Department of Social Welfare to support and raise awareness in the fight against violence towards children.
The Parliamentary Secretary asked the department officials to set up a programme whereby every village councils are sensitized on child protection.
Jamir also assured that he will discuss with the department to ensure that the various Acts on child protection and care are implemented in toto in Nagaland and urged all stakeholders to come forward with ideas and measures to stop child abuse.
“Let us all give support and raise awareness to fight against violence towards children. It is very important that we all work hard to achieve the mandate,” said Nagaland Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairperson Meilemla Pongener.
She said children are the most valuable assets of any nation and if given a conducive and enabling environment, every child blossoms into a productive adult and a responsible citizen of a state and country.
“Thus proper child development is very important for the holistic growth of society and the best way is to take good care of the children,” noted Pongener.
The Chairperson further pointed out that child abuse is a serious problem as it is a case of emotional, physical, economic and sexual maltreatment meted out to a person below the age of 18 and is a globally prevalent phenomenon, adding, “It is a violation of basic human rights of a child.”
While the primary responsibility of protecting children from abuse and neglect lies with the families or the primary caregivers, she said that communities, civil society and all other stake holders are also responsible for children.
“The more we talk about and spread awareness regarding the realities of child abuse, the closer we come to ending it,” Pongener stated.
Highlighting overview of child abuse in Nagaland, K. Ela, Director Prodigal’s Home Dimapur, said that child abuse does not just happen in streets, it happens at home, locality, schools, hostels and in places where children are kept for protection.
Lamenting over the poor implementation of Juvenile Justice Act in the state, she viewed that it should be implemented in true spirit and suggested that every school should have child protection policy.
“In Churches, Sunday schools should talk about child protection mechanism.”
