Dimapur, June 12 (EMN): Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID), with the support of National Domestic Workers’ movement – Nagaland Region, observed the World Day Against Child Labour at Assisi Hall on the theme “In conflict and disasters, protect children from child labour” on June 12.
Rev. Fr. John Poji, Administer NEISSR and guest of honour, highlighted on the significance of the day and how it affect children and their childhood.
‘They are voiceless, they are vulnerable, and it is our duty to provide their rights and to protect them. It is each individual’s responsibility to fight against this evil force,’ he said.
Rev. Sr. Mary Dukru, councillor for the Provincial Superior of North East Province and also the Superior of the Assisi Campus, who was the chief guest of the programme, spoke on the beauty of childhood.
In her speech, Mary Dukru emphasised on the moral obligation of each individuals to create awareness on the rights of every children.
“Our children are not aware of their rights. It is our duty to make them aware. Children are meant to learn not to earn. We must tackle child labour through integrated approach, where we all come together and fight against it, which is the worst form of social evil towards our children,’ she said.
Assistant Labour Commissioner, Dimapur, W Tamwang Konyak, informed that children who were brought from the village on the pretext of providing education ended up doing the household work. He, therefore, said that it should be the responsibility of all concerned to eliminate child labour by 2025. He also mentioned that a new amended act on child labour had increased the age from 14 to 18 years.
Pramila, in her welcome address, expressed that a beautiful childhood is essential to create a more creative and beautiful world. She said child labour is one of the main causes which denies child rights.
She stressed that it should be the collective responsibility of all concerned to mould and shape the future course of the children.
During the programme, children of National Child Labour Project, NDWM-Child Right Movement and ACID tailoring students performed some items which were witnessed by 300 participants.
