District Administration and SANKALP- District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), Tseminyu, in collaboration with District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Tseminyu, conducted a block-level sensitization programs on Child Rights and Protection Laws on April 9 and 11 at Council Halls in Sendenyu and Chunlikha.
At the programme, LCPO Tseminyu, Neivotuonuo Rutsa, stressed the importance of understanding child rights and protection laws, citing the legal principle, “Ignorance of facts may be excused, but ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
She gave an overview of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, highlighting village leaders’ key role in handling child-related issues as per the law. She also underscored Section 74, which prohibits disclosing any information that may reveal a child’s identity.
Additionally, she explained the gender-neutral POCSO Act, aimed at protecting all children under 18 from sexual offences, and cited a Supreme Court ruling that POCSO cases cannot be quashed even by mutual compromise.
Child Helpline Tseminyu, Project Coordinator, Kvulo Kent highlighted the role of the 1098 helpline through videos and a live demo, explaining the support available for children facing abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
DHEW, District Mission Coordinator, Kumari Victoria Kent spoke on Mission Shakti, a government initiative for women’s empowerment, and urged participants to spread awareness about the Women Helpline number.