TUTING, OCT 15:

The Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), Upper Siang, in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), organised a two-day child rights awareness and community sensitisation programme at Tuting on October 12 and 13 last under the theme “Know Your Rights – Protect Every Child”.

Nearly 150 participants, including APSCPCR members Honluk Lukham and Miti Libang, government officials, panchayat leaders, community representatives, police and health personnel, teachers, students, and members of women’s groups and self-help groups (SHGs), attended the programme.

The sessions covered child protection laws, including the Juvenile Justice Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, along with issues such as child labour, child marriage, mental health, online gaming addiction, substance abuse, education, school safety, bullying and child protection.

On October 13, the APSCPCR team visited schools and Anganwadi centres in Tuting and Gelling to interact with teachers, students, panchayat representatives, villagers and Anganwadi workers and assess child welfare concerns and service delivery.

The team also visited Kopu village, where discussions were held with panchayat members, gaon burahs (GBs), Anganwadi workers and helpers, and villagers on child protection and community welfare.

As part of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, five fruit-bearing saplings were planted at Kopu Gompa.

During an interaction with the Women Welfare Society and SHGs, participants raised concerns over drug-related problems, women’s welfare, domestic issues and child-related cases. They also called for the establishment of a One Stop Centre and a Child Care Institution in Tuting sub-division.

The programme aimed to strengthen community awareness, identify grassroots concerns and promote coordinated efforts to safeguard the rights, safety and welfare of children in Upper Siang district.