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NSLSA member-secretary Nino Iralu speaking at a seminar on child labour in Kohima on September 16.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 16 (EMN): With reported increasing cases of child labour in which vulnerable children from poverty stricken families particularly from Easter Nagaland have become victims to abuse and ill-treatment in the domestic sector, Kohima unit of Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khon (KNSK) and Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Kohima (KBBK) Sheko Khong have jointly organised a seminar on ‘child labour, human trafficking and legal implications’ on September 16 at Red Cross Complex.
Speaking as one of the resource persons, member secretary of Nagaland State Legal Service Authority (NSLSA), Nino Iralu said, ‘We have the best laws for child rights and protection’ and stressed on the need to work together stating that ‘for every right, there is corresponding duty.’
Stating that children are our future, Iralu maintained that parents have vital roles to play by allowing children for full development, democratic rights and protecting them from abuse, ill-treatment, and rejection etc.
While highlighting the legal implications on child labour and human trafficking, Iralu pointed out that child labour in the context of Nagaland is totally different from the mainland India, which is mostly done on consensus by both the families.
She said child labour in the state may not be an organised crime for us and people may not even be aware that they are traffickers by bringing children from poverty stricken families to provide them with education and better lives.
Although this may be done with a good intention, where in many cases children are left abused and battered, Iralu said this trading by the families crushed the dreams and hopes of the children. If this trend continues, she opined that ‘our tomorrow will be lost.’
Expressing deep concern on the huge supply of children especially from Eastern Nagaland who are brought on the pretext of providing education, Iralu felt that ‘we are miserably failing in our duty.’ She challenged the Konyak women to come out of the culture of silence and move to a culture of ‘zero tolerance’ for a brighter tomorrow.
Pointing out that as a human being it is our duty to help another person in distress, she challenged the Konyak women to rise up to the occasion and help each other. She also suggested on a strong mechanism to check and keep a record of every child brought from the area as domestic helpers.
Elucidating on ‘Christian parenting’ in the second session, resource person and NPSC chairman, A Yanang Konyak, said many a times, women were considered as servants or helpers in the family. However, he said God’s word clearly stated that ‘they our companion adding they deserve equality in all aspects of life.’
Talking on the purpose of marriage basing on five points namely in compliance with God’s command, for companionship, for helping one another, for satisfaction of biological desire and for honour, he said true marriage should be the principle of marriage.
Advocating to study in depth the purpose of marriage, he also reminded the legal age for marriage and balancing the responsibility of marriage. Stating that marriage is not mandatory, he said children should be allowed to matured enough to take his or her own decision.
While speaking on the principle of marriage and reiterating the parents responsibilities, Yanang said accepting a child means accepting the responsibilities to care for his/her physical, mental and spiritual needs and growth.
Yanang informed that authoritarianism on the part of parents should be discouraged and asked the parents not to compare their life with the children.
The sessions were moderated by Emilo K Konyak and Manngam Konyak.