Bhubaneswar: A state-level convention on Child Rights and Educational Issues was held at the Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD) here today.
Odisha Regional Organization for Social Action (OROSA) organized the event with an aim to foster the participation and dialogue between various stakeholders, including government officials, members of civil society organizations , scientific and academic communities, so as to promote sustainable policies for preventing violence against women and girl children and gaps in educational facilities in schools in Odisha as well as to create awareness of issues related to women and children and minority scholarship at the highest level for their solution, and thus promote better policy of secure care and protection of venerable women, children and students at grassroots, local, regional, state and national level.
Khurda District Welfare Officer (DWO) Manoj Nayak, Kandhamal Child Welfare Committee (CWC) member Kalpana Mohanty, member of Bhubaneswar Women Helpline Centre Pragnya Bastia, Baliapal Childline coordinator Prasant Kumar Rout, Balangir Legal-cum-Provision Officer Digambar Kar were among the other dignitaries who took part in the convention.
Speaking on the occasion, the dignitaries said that violence against women and girl children in today’s society seems to be a normal course of action. However, every child has the right to protection and education. This not only includes children who are in different circumstances and those who have suffered violence, abuse and exploitation, but also those who are not in any of these adverse situations and yet need to be protected in order to ensure that they remain within the social security and protection net.
Child protection is about protecting children from or against any perceived or real danger/risk to their life, their personhood and childhood. It is about reducing their vulnerability to any kind of harm and in harmful situations, they added.
Several school students participated in the event and shared their views and difficulties they are facing in their day to day lives.
Speaking about the solution to the prevailing violence against the girls, the panellists said that child-focused culture has to be developed. The legal system should interpret the laws in the context of the rights. This will give the child access to justice through the court system. All the children’s legislations need to be reviewed in the context of Care and protection. The Indian legal system has to evolve a great deal for securing the rights of the child and providing justice to the child.
Also Read: Preparations Afoot For Shivratri At Shree Mandira In Puri
Ms Kalinga
Wonderful Initiative for the care and protection of Children.