DIMAPUR — The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) Dimapur and Child Helpline observed Child Rights Week from November 14 to 21, along with the rest of the nation, in Niuland, Chümoukedima, and Dimapur districts.
According to a press release, the purpose of the observation was to raise awareness about child rights and establish block, ward, and village-level child protection committees with the local bodies of the villages, blocks, and wards.
The campaign began with the celebration of Children’s Day with the children of Prodigals’ Home, Dimapur, where the team conducted various activities with the children and also discussed the significance of the day.
During the week, in collaboration with the Assisi Centre of Integrated Development (ACID), the DCPU and Child Helpline also organised a child rights awareness programme for the office bearers and members of the All Nagaland Domestic Workers’ Union (ANDWU), Child Rights Movement (CRM), self-help groups, and community leaders.
Tajungsangla, officer in charge of the Women Police station, was the programme’s guest speaker, and speaking on the occasion, she discussed the cases that the women police typically handle. She also mentioned that many children are becoming victims of cybercrimes, so parents should be especially vigilant and educate their children about the dangers of the internet.
Meanwhile, the team held various sessions on Child Helpline (1098), child rights, and DCPU services.
As part of the observance, a one-day sensitisation and awareness programme on child rights and the constitution of the village child protection committees (VLCPC) was also held with representatives from the various local bodies and schools in the Niuland district.
Avika Zhimomi, district child protection officer, Dimapur, discussed during the programme the roles and responsibilities of the village, wards, and block level child protection committees and emphasised the importance of VLCPC in raising public awareness on child-related issues and fostering a child-friendly and safe community.
Zhimomi also called on village leaders to support the team in ensuring the well-being of children and protecting them from all forms of violence and exploitation.
Alomi Sumi, project coordinator of Child Helpline, shared information about child rights and the services provided by Child Helpline, while Moajungla, legal cum probation officer at the DCPU, talked about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Child Rights Week concluded on November 21 with a consultative meeting with local village bodies, asha workers, angwadi workers, and representatives from different schools at Seithekema ‘B’ Basa and Singrijan villages. The meeting focused on the formation of village child protection committees.
Esther Sumi, protection officer, non-institutional care (PO-NIC), DCPU, briefed attendees during the meeting about the roles and responsibilities of the VLCPC, and the villagers were also informed about the services provided by Child Helpline and the DCPU.
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