Kohima, July 31 (MExN): To commemorate the United Nations’ ‘World Day against Trafficking in Persons,’ a series of awareness programmes was organized in collaboration with key stakeholders in Kohima and Dimapur districts on the theme ‘Let’s act now to protect and assist trafficking victims.’
July 30 was designated as the ‘World Day against Trafficking in Persons’ in 2013 to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.”
Awareness programme at RGHSS, Kohima
Nagaland State Social welfare Board (NSSWB), State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW), One Stop Centre (OSC), and Women helpline (181) in collaboration with CHILDLINE (1098) Kohima and Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) organized an awareness programme at Razhukhrie Government Higher Secondary School, Kohima.
Bano Vinito, Chairperson, NSSWB, exhorted the students to give their best as students so they can equip themselves to achieve their aim and cautioned them to be careful from falling prey to negative peer pressure and temptations.
The resource persons – Zakato Chishi, Panel lawyer, KDLSA, Kethoselie, CHILDLINE, Gracy Ayee, SRCW, and Repabenla Lonkumer, OSC – shared on legal provisions, overview of human trafficking, and schemes for women and children in distress. The children actively participated in the sessions. Some of the students volunteered to be ambassadors of 1098 and 181, a press release from SRCW stated, adding they will act as responsible citizens and report any cases of abuse or violence.
Kevi Luho, Assistant Headmistress, RGHSS, who gave the closing remark, thanked the organizers for making the children aware of their rights and imparting knowledge to be safe wherever they go.
Awareness programme with domestic workers
An awareness programme with domestic workers was organized by Ferrando Domestic Worker Alliance (FDWA), Kohima in collaboration with SRCW, OSC and Women helpline (WHL-181) at Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) office hall, Kohima. The resource persons were Juliana Medom, SRCW, Vikhorianu Meru, OSC, Toli Assumi, OSC, Loshevi Achumi, WHL, Floret, FDWA. They deliberated on forms of human trafficking, preventive mechanisms and services available for victims. In attendance were domestic workers from in and around Kohima.
Community awareness at Bamunphukri village
A community awareness programme was organised at Bamunphukri village. Attended by SHGs, village council members, residents of the three blocks in the area, the programme was organized jointly by Sakhi-One Stop Centre (OSC), Dimapur, SRCW and MSW students of North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NESSIR). Bovili and Inatoli of OSC, the resource persons, spoke on human trafficking, violence against women, services of OSC and 181. The Block Programme Manager, Department of Rural Development also spoke on the occasion and exhorted the participants to take preventive measures.
