Shillong, Nov 19: A one-day district level campaign to “End Violence against Children” was conducted at Brookdene Hall, Shillong recently . The objective of the campaign is to create awareness at district level to end various types of violence against children so that they enjoy their rights, and parents, youths and elders in the district should uphold these rights so that children enjoy fullness of life.
Mr. Sawwat Skhemland Project staff was the moderator for the programme.The program started with the recitation of the World Vision statement “Our Vision for every child, life in all its fullness, our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so”. Mr. Khrawborlang Wahlang, pronounced the opening prayer which was followed by briefing on the purpose of the campaign.
Guests and dignitaries who were present on the occasion include, Mr Adelbert Nongrum MLA, as Chief Guest, Smti Amanda Pakyntien, Guest of honour, Smti Meena Kharkongor Chairperson, State Commission for protection of Child Rights, Shri Paul Wahlang, District Child Protection Officer, Ms Bertha Dkhar, Principal Bethany Society, Ms. Catherine, North East Network.
Smti Meena Kharkongor, Chairperson, State Commission for protection of Child Rights spoke on protection of children from sexual offences. Smti Kharkongor enlightened the participants some laws including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, as well as various sexual assaults such as, Penetrative sexual assault, Aggravated penetrative sexual assault,Sexual Harassment, Sexual offence against boy.
The CWC and its role, State Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), POCSO Act and who is responsible for monitoring it?, Special Court and its procedure during trial of cases, and the meaning of good and bad touch.The Guest of honour, Smti Amanda Pakyntien also address the gathering.
The Chief Guest, Shri Adelbert Nongrum Honourable MLA started his speech by saying that “This program, ‘ end violence against children’ is not for World vision needs, but it is the need for all of us who are here, and those who are not here, and it is the need of the state and the world at large.”
He congratulated World Vision for taking the initiative to create a platform to enable everyone to talk, speak and not to be silent spectators on various important issues.
Shri Nongrum also made important remarks that “keeping silent about the crime is as good as committing crime itself.” The MLA urged everyone to report or do something and not to keep quiet when crimes against women and children are committed.
He also cited an instance of three types of people in society, that is, firstly, some people who make things happen, secondly, some who just watch things that happen, and thirdly, those who don’t know what has happened in society.
“The choice is in ours, what type of people we wanted to be,” Shri Nongrum said.
He concluded his speech by saying“lets us build bridges not walls” and join hands together in the fight for this good cause.
In his speech, Shri Paul Wahlang cited a number of incidences of child sexual abuse and violence. He also spoke at length about the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Children (UNCRC).Representatives from Bethany Society and North East Network Organisation also spoke at the programme. Participants also got the opportunity to interact with the resource persons.
