In a significant initiative to bring all stakeholders together for creating awareness and for taking a well-informed action on various issues related to child rights and protection, a one day ‘Awareness Programme on Child Rights’ was organized by the Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR) at St. Xavier Parish Jubilee Hall, Jalukie, Peren on 26th March 2025.

Chairman, NSCPCR, Alun Hangsing in his keynote address, explained the history behind how the Commission for Protection of Child Rights came into being, and also highlighted the importance of Child Rights. He stated that the Commission is an autonomous statutory body and its purpose is to monitor and ensure that all the laws, policies and programmes of the Government are in consonant with the rights of the child. He further elaborated on the ten fundamentals of Rights of Children which includes Right to Survival, Right to Education, Right to Protection, Right to Participation, Right to Development, Right to Health & Well Being, Right to Identity, Right to Expression, Right against Discrimination and Right to Safe Environment.

ADC, Jalukie, T. L. Kiusumong Tikhir in his short speech, thanked the State Commission headed by the Chairman for organizing the programme in Jalukie, which shows their commitment to protect child rights in the state. Stating that childhood time is the most important and memorable period in a person’s life, he said it is the responsibility of all the stakeholders to create a safe and healthy ambience for the children.

Speaking on the ‘Overview of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act,’ Lichani Murry, Legal Consultant, NSCPCR said this Act seeks to provide care/protection to children by catering to a child’s development needs, adopting a child friendly atmosphere and approach, for adjudication of cases related to juveniles, keeping the child’s ‘best interest’ in mind and rehabilitation to the child as a goal. She also highlighted that this Act places children/juveniles in two categories, namely juvenile in ‘conflict with the laws handled by the State Government/Juvenile Boards’ and children in need of ‘care and protection’ to be looked after by State Governments/Child Welfare Committees.’ Murry further shed light on various legal provisions concerning crimes against women, protection mechanism, care, support & rehabilitation services and procedures for adoption.

Akumla Longchari, Member, NSCPCR while giving presentation on Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, said this act covers children below 18 years of age, who are victims of sexual offences. She also added, stopping child sexual abuse is essential and it is not only the responsibility of the Government to keep children safe and secure, but it is also the responsibility of all to ensure a safe and protected environment for our children to enable them to live with dignity and free from any harm of violence.

Aying Wangsha, Member, NSCPCR spoke on rights of children with regard to education vis-a-vis Right to Education (RTE). She said it is an Act to provide free and compulsory education to all the children of the age of 6 to 14 years till completion of elementary education. In her presentation, she also explained the key points of the RTI Act 2009, the duties of the appropriate government, duties of local authorities, duty for parents & guardians, role of School Management Committee (SMC) and role of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR).

Asungbe, Legal-cum-Probation Officer, DCPU, Peren delivered a presentation on status of child issues in Peren district.

The programme was attended by various Heads of Offices under Jalukie Sub-Division, Councillors of Jalukie Town Councils, representatives from Schools & Churches, Tribal Hohos, Student leaders, Youth Organisation leaders, VCCs and Dobashis. The programme which was chaired by Ibamsile Dwaswang, Coordinator, Child Helpline, Peren, commenced with a welcome address delivered by Yongchingkumla, Additional Secretary, Social Welfare & Secretary, NSCPCR. Vote of thanks was proposed by Pikato E Tuccu, DCPU, Peren.