Why the 21st century demands a new approach to child protection and education
As a society, we often take pride in the advancements of the 21st century. We celebrate technological innovations, educational achievements, and global connectivity. Yet, beyond this progress lies a troubling reality that many communities continue to ignore: Our children, particularly our girls, are facing increasing threats of sexual harassment, mental harassment, bullying, exploitation, and emotional trauma.
The most disturbing aspect of this issue is that these dangers frequently exist within our own communities. The very places where children should feel safest —homes, school, neighborhoods, and social environments—¬¬ sometimes become sources of fear, anxiety, and suffering. Every year, countless children endure experiences that leave emotional wounds lasting far beyond childhood. Sexual harassment is not merely a legal issue; it is a human issue. It damages a child’s sense of security, self-worth, and trust. Mental harassment, including bullying, verbal abuse, humiliation, and emotional manipulation, can be equally destructive. Many victims carry these scars throughout their lives, affecting their education, relationships, career aspirations, and mental health.
Particularly concerning is the vulnerability of female children. Girls often face societal pressures, discrimination, harassment, and gender-based violence that limit their freedom and potential. Many suffer in silence because the fear judgment, blame, or disbelief. Some are afraid to speak because the perpetrators may be known to them or even respected members of society. The question before us is simple: Are we doing enough to protect our children? The answer, unfortunately, is no. Focused on punishment after abuse occurs. While justice is essential, prevention must become our primary goal. We cannot continue waiting for children to become victims before taking action.
The solution begins with education:
Schools must become more than centers for academic learning. They must become institutions the teach respect, empathy, responsibility, and human dignity. Character education should stand alongside mathematics, science, and component of every child’s development.
One of the most important steps is educating boys from an early age. Respect for girls and women should not be treated as an occasional lesson but as a lifelong value. Boys must learn the strength is demonstrated through respect, kindness and responsibility— not dominance, intimidating or aggression. Teaching concepts such as personal boundaries, consent, empathy, emotional intelligence, and gender equality can help future generations of men who value and protect others. If we want to create a safer society for girls, we must invest in raising boys who understand and practice respect.
Parents also have a crucial role to play.
Open communications within families can create an environment where children feel safe discussing difficult experiences. Parents should educate their children about their rights, about safe and unsafe touch, and about the importance of speaking up. Equally, parents must listen without judgment when child chooses to share.
Teachers, community leaders, and institutions must be trained to recognize signs of abuse, neglect, trauma, or distress. Early intervention can prevent years of sufferings. Schools, should have clear reporting mechanisms, trained counselors, and zero-tolerance policy towards harassment of any kind.
The Naga Context: What We See Today
- Digital Safety & Social Media Pressure
Nagaland has one of the highest mobile penetration rates in the Northeast. Many children aged 10-16 are on Instagram, Facebook, and Whatsapp groups with little supervision. This has led to:
Rise in cyberbullying, body-shaming, and online grooming cases in Kohima and Dimapur schools. Fake accounts used to harass schoolgirls, with many afraid to report due to family shame.
Viral “challenges” and peer pressure pushing students toward anxiety and self-harm. - Substance Abuse & Its Link to Vulnerability
With rising drugs and alcohol availability near schools and colleges in Nagaland, intoxicated youth sometimes becomes perpetrators or victims. Intoxication is being used to excuse harassment. Our children need safe zones. - Hostel & Boarding School Safety
Many Naga students study away from home in hostels from Class 5 onwards. While hostels build discipline, there have been reports of senior- junior ragging, mental harassment, and lack of trusted adults to report to. Every hostel needs a female warden, counselor, and anonymous complain box. - Cultural Silence & “Family Name” Fear
In our close-knit Naga society, there’s strong emphasis on “family name” and “village reputation”. This often forces victims and parents to stay silent after harassment to avoid “shame to the clan” we must teach: Protecting a child is never shameful. Hiding abuse is. - Lack of POSCO Awareness in villages
The POSCO Act exists, but many village council members, church youth leaders, and parents don’t know how to file a case or support a child. Police + NGOs + Schools must do joint awareness in Nagamese and local dialects. - Church & Community as First Responders
Naga society is church-centric. Youth directors, women leaders, and Sunday School teachers are often the first adults a child trusts. We must train them to listen, believe, and guide victims to help —not dismiss with “pray and forget”. - Mental Health Stigma
Terms like “depression” or “trauma” are still called “weakness” or “drama” in many homes. After harassment, many Naga teens suffer silently. Schools need counselors who speak Nagamese/Ao/Lotha/Tenyidie….. etc not just English. - Positive Naga Value to Revive
Our forefathers had strong codes; respect for women, protection of the vulnerable, community accountability. The morung system taught boys responsibility. We need to revive those values—not as “old culture”, but as modern child protection.
Our Call TO Action: - Integrate Life Skills & Safety Education in every school curriculum.
- Train Teachers & Parents to indentify, prevent, and respond to harassment.
- Create Safe Reporting Spaces where children can speak without fear.
- Empower Girls with knowledge, self-defense, and legal awareness.
- Teach Boys Respect as a core value, not an optional lesson.
Silence protects perpetrators. Speaking up protects children.
In Nagaland, we say ‘Kuknalim’—Victory to People. But there is no victory if our children live in fear. Real Kuknalim begins when every Naga child feels safe at home, in school, and online.
For the safety of our children. For the future of Nagaland. For the future of India.
Kejalhuto Punyü
Propietor, Hiekha+NagaNext
Education Service