TUTING, 15 Oct: A two-day child rights awareness and community sensitisation programme under the theme 'Know Your Rights - Protect Every Child', was jointly conducted by the Department of Women and Child Development and the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) here in Upper Siang district from 12 to 13 October.

The programme was attended by APSCPCR members Honluk Lukham and Miti Libang, along with local officials, PRI members, community leaders, police personnel, health officials, teachers, students and representatives of women's groups and SHGs. Nearly 150 participants took part.

Sessions covered child protection laws, including the Juvenile Justice and POCSO Acts, prevention of child labour and child marriage, mental health, online gaming addiction, substance abuse, education, school safety, bullying, and child protection.

On 13 October, the APSCPCR team inspected schools and anganwadi centres in Tuting and Gelling and interacted with teachers, students, PRI members, villagers and anganwadi workers to assess child welfare issues and service delivery.

The team also visited Kopu village, where discussions were held with PRI members, GBs, anganwadi workers, anganwadi helpers and villagers on matters concerning children and community welfare.

As part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, five fruit-bearing saplings were planted at the Kopu gonpa. The team also interacted with the Women Welfare Society and SHGs, who raised concerns about drug-related problems, women's issues, domestic concerns and child-related cases. They also called for establishment of a one-stop centre and child care institution in Tuting subdivision.