Verem Free Legal Aid Cell conducts Awareness Program on Child Rights

A legal literacy programme on topic titled ‘Child Rights, Responsibilities and Protection’ was conducted by the Verem Legal Aid Cell in collaboration with child line at Verem Government Primary School on 10^th December 2016 at 4.00 pm. The team members of child line present for the programme were Ms. Jessica Pereira, Ms. Soraya Borges and Ms. Pranita Kalangutkar. Prof. Andryusha Pinho faculty in - charge of Verem Free Legal aid Cell was also present.

The programme began with a floral welcome to all the team members of Child Line. Ms. Sorya Borges introduced the organization; the major achievement of the said organization was launching of the Country’s first Toll- Free Tele- helpline for street children in distress. The main issues that they deal with are Missing Children; Abused Children; Runaway Children and Needy Children.

Later all the children present were requested to Dial 1098 from their mobile phones as a demo to affirm the functioning of the help line. She highlighted to the people that 1098 is a 24 hours National Toll free Helpline number which provides free services to children in need of care and protection. The team member informed the children that the organization is spread throughout the country and that every State has a child line Centre. They also shared the address of their office situated in Goa i.e Panaji in Caritas Home near SBI.

Ms. Pranita Kalangutkar explained to the children what child rights are and the basic rights of survival and development, participation and protection were explained in detail. They also highlighted the need that every child has to be educated and stressed on the fact that children below the age of 14 years cannot be engaged in any sort of monetary work. They also shared various cases that they handled on such issues and the aid provided to the needy by the organisation. The various kinds of abuse were also explained to the children and stress was laid on sexual abuse as it is on increase and how one needs to be aware and protect them from being abused.

For a more clear understanding on the topic of sexual abuse a short animated film was shown to the children. The Film educated the children to identify what is bad and good touch and also informed that they should always confide in their parents or any person whom they trust in case of any incident of abuse. The important point it highlighted was that being sexually abused by an adult is no fault on their side and therefore it has to be reported so that the culprit can be punished.

The programme was very informative to the children. The programme was compered by Ninoshka Dias whereas the vote of thanks was proposed by Dhanvanti Dhamankar.