BOMDILA, SEP 22:
The Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), West Kameng, organised a one-day workshop-cum-awareness programme on the legal rights and protection of women and children at the Conference Hall of the Circuit House here on Tuesday.
Welcoming the participants, WCD Deputy Director RT Deru outlined the objectives of the programme and stressed the importance of awareness about legal provisions and safeguards available for the protection and empowerment of women and children.
West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar, who attended the programme as chief guest, appreciated the department for organising the initiative and urged participants to make maximum use of the knowledge gained and disseminate it among their colleagues, communities and workplaces.
Addressing the issue of child marriage, the DC said lack of awareness and inadequate understanding of the law often contributed to the persistence of the practice in some areas. He urged citizens to promptly report such incidents to facilitate timely intervention and legal action.
He also highlighted the vulnerability of women to domestic violence and other forms of abuse due to inadequate awareness of their legal rights. Calling for greater sensitisation, he urged stakeholders to work collectively to ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of women.
The DC further stressed the need for all offices to establish Internal Committees as mandated under law and ensure a safe, inclusive and conducive workplace for women employees.
West Kameng Superintendent of Police Dr Dorjee Wangdi Thongon spoke on recent changes in the country’s criminal justice system and explained the citizen-centric approach of the new criminal laws.
Assistant Commissioner Phuntso Tashi delivered a presentation on the Dowry Prohibition Act, while Assistant Commissioner Dr Dechin Droka spoke on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
Other resource persons covered the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the role of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act and issues relating to crimes against women.
An interactive session was also held, during which participants raised queries and sought clarifications from the resource persons.
Women representatives from various government departments, non-governmental organisations, Panchayati Raj Institutions and other stakeholders attended the programme.
