ITANAGAR, 11 Sep: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) launched a statewide child rights awareness and child welfare assessment campaign under the theme 'Know Your Rights - Protect Every Child' from Longding district on Friday.

The campaign aims to reach all districts through awareness programmes and ground-level assessment of child protection systems and facilities. During the campaign, the commission will identify child rights concerns and gaps in implementation and submit a consolidated report with recommendations to the state government, according to an APSCPCR release.

Addressing the programme in Longding, APSCPCR Chairperson Ratan Anya called upon the police, the CWC, DCPU, schools, parents, village chiefs, traditional institutions, communities and civil society to work together to ensure that no child is abused, exploited, trafficked, neglected or denied education and dignity, saying that child protection is a collective responsibility.

She highlighted the commission's interventions in cases of child rights violations and school safety, its advocacy for stronger measures against bullying and ragging, and 32 recommendations submitted to the state government on important child rights and welfare issues.

The commission expressed concern that children sent outside in the name of education often end up as domestic help or face exploitation. Parents and guardians were urged to ensure that children sent outside the district or state are placed through safe, lawful and child protection-compliant arrangements, including foster care, wherever applicable, under the juvenile justice framework, with proper monitoring in the best interests of the child.

The APSCPCR chairperson commended the efforts of the Child Welfare Committee and the DCPU, Longding and urged them to continue strengthening their work and inspire other CWCs and DCPUs across the state.

In recognition of their commitment to child rights protection, certificates of appreciation were presented to the CWC and DCPU teams as 'Champions of Child Rights'.

Longding Deputy Commissioner Kunal Yadav urged Wancho Council members to compile data on children and monitor those being sent outside the district. He also appealed to individuals to come forward to sponsor the education of children in need. The DC announced that he would sponsor the education of a needy child.

Yadav further highlighted the need for a child care institution/children's home in Longding, and the Vatsalya Sadan was proposed as a possible location. The proposal has been forwarded to the authorities concerned for necessary action.

Wancho Council spokesperson Dr Manlong Ralonghum said that the council has rules and regulations for the protection and welfare of children,and has initiated compilation of village-level data on children, particularly those requiring care, protection or support.

Dr Ralonghum said that the council should be informed if children are sent outside the area or district.

ZPM Lachoi Wangpan highlighted concerns arising from large family sizes and the inability of some families to adequately support all their children. He stressed the importance of family planning and responsible parenthood to ensure better care, education and opportunities for children.

An anti-human trafficking helpline has also been launched by the police/DCPU in the district to facilitate reporting and timely intervention in trafficking-related cases.

The awareness programme included sessions on child protection laws and the responsibilities of parents, communities and authorities concerned in protecting children from abuse, exploitation and other forms of violation.

During the second session, Protection Officer Anita Wangpan dwelt on the Right to Education Act, school safety, bullying, and child protection. She raised concern over children from interior areas being sent outside the district for education. She stressed the need for adequate hostel facilities near secondary schools to ensure that children can continue their education safely. She also highlighted the importance of properly constituted school-level committees for child protection and safety.

The third and fourth sessions were conducted by Legal-cum-Probation Officer Wangtan Wangsu, covering mental health, emotional wellbeing, drugs and substance abuse, online safety, social media misuse, cyberbullying, internet use and online gaming addiction. The sessions focused on protecting children from mental, emotional and substance-related risks and promoting safe and responsible use of the internet and social media.

The programme was attended by village chiefs, panchayat and community leaders, anganwadi workers, DCPU, CWC, JIB representatives and students, along with other stakeholders involved in child protection and welfare.