District Child Protection Unit Tuensang, Mission Vatsalya,Department of Social Welfare as a part of celebrating Child Rights Week (November 14- 20) conducted “Sensitization and Awareness Programme on Child Rights, Child Marriage, Legal Adoption , Child Helpline 1098 and POCSO Act 2012 “on November 19 at Council Hall, Ngangpong village, Tuensang.

Resource person, Yangthriba Sangtam, District Child Protection Officer spoke on various rights of the children: Rights to live with dignity, right to be protected from all forms of violence, right to be protected from physical and sexual abuses, right to freedom of expression, right to education, right to relax and play and right to all forms of development – emotionally, physically and mentally. He stated that for the safety, protection and development of all children, the responsibility lies within the community and therefore encouraged to stay vigilant.

He further spoke on the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 stating that child marriage is a social evil and is illegal as it hampers girls’ education, health and development, protection and prevents them from realizing their dreams. He also encouraged participants to ensure that there is no child marriage taking place in the society.

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Furthermore, he stressed on the subject of Legal Adoption and that children adopted from the Specialized Adoption Agency (SAA) is legal. Adoption is an act of love and it should come from Law.

Resource person, Hongen Thangty, Project Coordinator, Child Helpline 1098, District Child Protection Unit shared the importance of Child Helpline 1098 services and highlighted on the POCSO Act 2012.

The participants included Village Child Welfare and Protection Committee, Anganwadi Workers, Church leaders, GBs, Student leaders, Women leaders and Public leaders.