Districts assign ‘child rights ambassadors’

[caption id="attachment_283365" align="aligncenter" width="565"] District officials and students at a programme introducing ‘child rights ambassadors,’ on November 18 in Longleng.[/caption] Dimapur, Nov. 19 (EMN): Various districts have assigned students to be ambassadors of child rights in their schools. The district child protection unit of Longleng of the department of Social Welfare in collaboration with the district’s administration conducted a programme to introduce what they called the “child rights ambassador,” on November 18 in the deputy commissioner’s conference hall. Deputy Commissioner M Shayung Phom inaugurated the event and introduced the ‘child rights ambassador,’ a press release from the agencies. In his address to the gathering, Phom expressed appreciation to the department for initiating such a programme in the district to assign students in the schools to be the child rights ambassadors. He said it is fortunate that schools have the privilege to be ambassadors of child rights. Schools should assign students who are ready and willing to stand for the rights of children in the educational institutions, stated updates on November 19 informing about the programme. ‘Child rights ambassadors should play a significant role in propagating awareness on child rights and protection of it besides reporting matters in the event of any violation of the rights of the children,’ he said. According to the official, he said the family, school and every adult citizen have the responsibility to provide care and protection to children as they are the assets and future leaders of the society. Yangthriba Sangtam, district child protection officer, spoke at the programme too. He was stated to have given the keynote address to the participants. The child protection services have been brought to provide a safe and secured environment for all round development of the children. There are multiple legal provisions, policies, governmental schemes and programmes adopted by the government for the protection, safety and welfare of the children. ‘However, in spite of all this initiative there still are many children being denied of their rights to survival, development, participation and protection. Hundreds of children are subjected to neglect, abuse and violence and many are in vulnerable circumstances,’ he said. Sangtam said further that the child rights ambassador programme is meant to advocate child rights in the schools. ‘School has become extremely important platform to promote child rights as thousands of children are enrolled in schools in the state. Child rights ambassadors will become an important role model for the children as well as adults. Ambassador will advocate and promote the Rights of the children in their schools,’ the official said. Further, Sangtam said the child rights ambassador programme was initiated by the child protection services “with the much hope to empower children and help them stand for their rights and further believes that violence and abuses against children can be brought to an end and even prevented to the large extend if appropriate intervention is made at the correct time.” [caption id="attachment_283367" align="alignleft" width="300"] [/caption] Peren district also officially launched the ‘child rights ambassador’ project on November 18 in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office in Peren. Deputy Commissioner Sentiwapang Aier was the special guest of the programme, updates stated. The government publicity agency the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR) gave updates on Tuesday informing about the programme. The programme was organised by the district child protection unit, department of Social Welfare in collaboration with the district’s administration. The district child protection officer of Peren, Avika Zhimomi gave the keynote address. In his address to the gathering, the official said that the child rights ambassadors are to be advocates for children’s rights in schools. ‘Child protection services aim to bring down abuse and violence against children and even prevent with the right intervention at the right time,’ he said. He added that the child rights ambassadors will play a major role in disseminating information about child rights and their protection, besides reporting any violation of children’s rights, the updates stated. Zhimomi said the child rights ambassadors programme is open to all schools and students. Once the school agrees to be a part of this programme, the institution may assign two students, preferably a boy and a girl, as child ambassadors. “Every single child deserves to be protected against any harm and danger and also deserves to live a safe and secure childhood,” the IPR quoted Zhimomi as having said. Deputy Commissioner Sentiwapang Aier inaugurated the child rights ambassadors’ programme. In his address to the gathering, the officials said not much importance was given to the protection of the rights of children in the earlier days. ‘But with the passage of time various departments as well as different organizations are taking up the initiative to safeguard the rights of the children,’ he said. The official said children should know what rights they have and they should learn how to utilise it to promote their rights. Moreover, the updates stated, he urged the departments to organise programmes in various departments as well as in schools to educate the people on child rights. He appealed to them to ‘work towards what is best for each child,’ the IPR stated. In Wokha district, Deputy Commissioner Orenthung Patton inaugurated the child rights ambassadors’ programme in the backdrop of celebrations of Children’s Week from November 14 to the 20th. The official inaugurated the project at a programme that was organised by the district child protection unit of Wokha, updates stated. The programme is initiated by the child protection services of the department of Social Welfare. The unit is appreciative of the effort of Chubainla Jamir, society director of the child protection services, and Sarah Ritse, secretary and chairperson of the CPS for Nagaland, for their initiating the programme to reach children at the grassroots. In his speech at the programme, the government servant urged the students gathered there to know their rights first and to educate their friends in school. ‘Rights are always accompanied by responsibilities. Any abuse that happens in their school should be reported to the district child protection authorities,’ the updates stated. Patton appreciated the district child protection authorities for their contribution and activities to the protection of children in Wokha district, the updates stated. District Child Protection Officer Sekho Dawhuo also spoke at the event. In his keynote address, the official highlighted the objectives of the child rights ambassador programme. The child rights ambassador is a program that aims to advocate children’s rights in schools. The programme has been initiated by the child protection services, the updates stated. ‘Child protection services believe that abuse and violence against children can be brought to an end and even prevented if right intervention is made at the right time. Through child rights ambassadors we hope to empower children and help them stand for their rights,’ the organisers stated. Officials of the Observation Home in Wokha highlighted the rights of children, the updates stated.