On the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour on June 12, various organisations working for children in the state have called for collective action to end child labour, maintaining that employing underage children was also child labour and punishable.
National Domestic Workers Movement
National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM) Nagaland Region in collaboration with Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID) commemorated the day in two places- Assisi auditorium, Lake View colony and Bengali Samaj hall in Master colony on June 12.
The speakers of the day were Adv. Priya shyam and Nodal coordinator Childline Dimapur, Mhaseto Rakho. They highlighted the importance of the day and its purpose.
Priya called upon the gathering to be united and protect the rights of the children while Mhaseto highlighted the responsibility of parents to end child labour and education that what every child needed.
During the programme children put up some play against child labour. On the occasion, International Domestic Workers week campaign programme was also launched. To mark the day, posters were distributed highlighting the demands of the domestic workers.
Meanwhile, director (ACID), Sr. Pramila in her welcome address mentioned said it was everyone responsibility to safeguard the children.
Kohima
Bright Morning Star Children Home
Bright Morning Star Children Home (BMSCH), Kohima in collaboration with District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) Kohima also observed World Day Against Child Labour at BMSCH recreational hall.
Asenla Walling, Probation Officer and Alenuo, Superintendent BMSCH spoke on the occasion.
They encouraged the children to be aware of their rights and law.
The programme was chaired by Neivi. Ruokuo invoked God’s blessing while special number was presented by Achi.
Awareness programmes in Kohima
Nearly a few hundred children under child labour in Kohima were under the age of 5-17, said resource person, Child Line team, Pelezanuo Elizabeth while speaking at an awareness programme in Anti Child labour Day held under topic “Child labour in domestic work” at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Auditorium.
Elizabeth informed that about 9% of child labour has increased after the Covid-19 pandemic and among all the cases registered till date, run away children cases were observed to be the maximum and in a month, the team received about 3-4 cases of child labour across Kohima respectively.
Child Labour and Adolescent Act 1986 which had been presented to the state government before the pandemic 2019, however, remained a bill and had not been amended even in the assembly till the present day nor given any provision to stop child labour even though it has been passed in the country in 2016, Elizabeth disclosed.
Short speech was presented by Lisisu Dukhru, who emphasized on the topic of child labour. Vote of thanks was presented by Ketulhunuo Iralu, while the welcome address was delivered by principal, Fr T P James and prayer was invoked by Sr Rincy Kamei and words of gratitude, FDWA, Sarah.
CHILDLINE Kohima and Oriental College
Drama Club & English department, Oriental College Kohima in collaboration with CHILDLINE Kohima under the theme, “Social Justice for all: End child labour” also organised programme in the college auditorium of Oriental College, Kohima.
Resource person for the event, CHILDLINE Kohima coordinator, Ningu Kulnu in her address said keeping underage domestic helpers was also child labour which should be discontinued.
She pointed out that no matter the justification given to keeping young helpers at home, it still was against the law and therefore should be discouraged.
She observed that underage helpers often are vulnerable to abuse of various forms and also end up becoming victims of physical, emotional and sexual abuse cases.
Such cases leave the victims scarred for life leading to a wide range of emotional and physical traumas.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by asst prof, English department, Oriental College, Kohima, Akhrienuo Chietsu.
Longleng
Administration, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao & Sakhi-One Stop Centre Longleng observed “World Day Against Child Labour” at Educational Block Resource Centre (EBRC) hall under the theme “Week of Action Against Child Labour”.
Office Assistant One Stop Centre, B.Bauom Phom, while delivering the welcome address encouraged the women to help those woman in need to avail the services provided at OSC Longleng. Phomla Hoichem president, Mano Phom in her short speech appealed everyone to take up the responsibility to educate the people against child labour which was taking place in the society.
SDO(C) Hq. Longleng, nodal officer to BBBP & One Stop Centre spoke, Trongdiba Sangtam on the theme “week of activism against Child Labour”. He also encouraged the gathering that every individual should take up the responsibility to spread awareness at the grass roots level about Child Labour. He also disseminated the gathering about the uplifting girl child under BBBP and to spread awareness on issues of inequalities faced by girl child in the society.
Earlier, women president Agri Ward, Chingkumtenla offered the invocation and the programme was chaired by Nyangyungsangla.
GHS, Burma camp
Government High School (GHS) Burma Camp observed the day in collaboration with Community Education Centre Society, PM POSHAN (MDM) and CHILDLINE 1098.
Speaking on the occasion, district coordinator Lozau Kape spoke on the various rights and duties of children and how can they contribute in eliminating Child Labour.
She also highlighted on various issue of children in the context of Dimapur and the common issues in the state such as domestic helper, children working in brick lane, construction site, shop and garages etc..,
She also mentioned on the various laws on how the authorities can booked the law breakers and to report it to the concern authorities.
The program was also followed by Nipun Bharat Theme song from GHS Burma camp and short play on Child Labour was presented by CEC School Students.