LAKHIMPUR: An awareness meeting with media on child protection issues was held at North Lakhimpur Press Club on Friday. The event was organized by District Child Protection Unit in collaboration with North Lakhimpur Press Club as a part of the programmes of 90-day State Child Protection Society (SCPS) campaign on ‘Suroxito Xaishab Sonali Axom’ launched on June 12. SCPS, commemorating the World Day against Child Labour, launched this 90-day campaign to raise awareness about various child protection issues, like child labour, child marriage, child trafficking, and child substance abuse etc.
The agenda of the awareness meeting kick-started with a presentation made by Hadi Mostafa Hussain, the Data Analyst of DCPU-Lakhimpur. He also explained the objective of the awareness meeting. Taking part in the event, Assistant Commissioner of Lakhimpur-cum- District Social Welfare Officer and District Child Protection Officer in charge, Jyotikana Chetia welcomed the participants of the meeting from media fraternity. She said that DCPU has initiated all possible measures to address the child protection issues, but they still exist. She added that collaborative effort among various stakeholders is required to root out these evil practices from the society. "We need to take collective responsibility against child protection issues. The 90-day campaign has already brought public, institutions, organizations and other stakeholders together to work for the secured future of the children", she stated. Sharing his thought North Lakhimpur Press Club president Kumud Baruah spoke on the role of media in reducing child protection issues in the society.
Child Protection Officer, DCPU-Lakhimpur, Plabita Das attended the meeting as resource person, who, in her deliberation, explained about the four recognized rights of the children, namely right to survival, right to development, right to participation and right to protection. She also threw light on the tragic, adverse impact and outcome of child labour, child marriage, child trafficking, child substance abuse and illegal adoption of children in the society while citing about the relevant Acts to battle against these issues. She called upon all to create a child-friendly environment in the society. Legal Officer, DCPU-Lakhimpur, Janti Borah rendered a detailed discussion on 'Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012 and laid stress on effective implementation of the Act to protect the children from sexual offences. North Lakhimpur Press Club secretary Karuna Krishna Nath also took part in the event
DCPU-Lakhimpur, during the 90-day awareness campaign, has already carried out a variety of activities such as Childathon, street plays, convergence meetings, hoarding, signature campaigns, art competition, speech competition, mobile van announcement and wall painting to combat child issues. A rally and children mela will be organized on September 11 while the closing ceremony of the campaign will be held on September 12.
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