TAWANG, 3 Sep: An awareness programme on women and child protection laws and schemes was organised by the Tawang Women and Child Development Department here on Thursday.
The programme was attended by teachers from government and private schools, representatives of the Government Higher Secondary School, Tawang, and other stakeholders. Advocates from the District Legal Services Authority, along with officials from the One-Stop Centre, District Child Protection Unit, and the Tawang police station participated as resource persons.
Addressing the participants, CDPO Dondup Pema highlighted the importance of creating greater awareness about laws and schemes concerning the protection and welfare of women and children. She urged the participants to make the best use of the programme to enhance their knowledge of various legal provisions and institutional support mechanisms, so that they could effectively disseminate information and extend necessary assistance whenever required.
During the programme, the resource persons sensitised the participants to important laws and statutory provisions concerning the safety, dignity and rights of women and children. Detailed presentations were made on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act; Adoption Regulations, 2017; Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013; Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; and relevant provisions of the labour laws.
The sessions particularly highlighted the role of teachers and frontline stakeholders in recognising signs of abuse and exploitation, ensuring timely reporting of cases, and facilitating appropriate legal and institutional support for women and children in need of care and protection.
Addressing the gathering, Inspector Nii Angu expressed concern over incidents of crimes against women and children, and emphasised the need for greater legal awareness, responsible behaviour and active community participation. She also drew attention to family- and relationship-related issues that can contribute to the vulnerability of women and children, and stressed the collective responsibility of the society in creating a safe, dignified and respectful environment for them.
DCPU Protection Officer Yeshi Yangzom sensitised the teachers to the provisions of Mission Vatsalya, explaining the child protection mechanisms, institutional framework and support services available under the scheme. She emphasised the importance of timely intervention and coordination among schools, families, law enforcement agencies and child protection institutions for safeguarding children at risk.
The programme aimed to strengthen the knowledge and awareness of teachers and frontline stakeholders, and to equip them to play a more effective role in the prevention, early identification and reporting of cases involving abuse, exploitation and violence against women and children. It also sought to ensure that vulnerable women and children are promptly connected with appropriate legal protection and institutional support mechanisms. (DIPRO)
