Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 1: Efforts to strengthen child protection and prevent child labour received renewed attention in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the State Child Protection Society organised a community awareness programme at Guptapara Panchayat, focusing on safeguarding children’s rights and promoting timely reporting of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The awareness programme, centred on the theme “Prevention of Child Labour and Protection of Child Rights”, was organised by the State Child Protection Society (SCPS) under the Directorate of Social Welfare. The event was coordinated by the Programme Manager of the State Child Protection Society in collaboration with the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) and the Unique Disability ID (UDID) schemes.
Participants were sensitised about Child Helpline 1098 and informed that children facing abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking, child labour or any other situation requiring immediate care and protection can be reported through the helpline. Officials explained that reporting such cases enables timely intervention by the concerned authorities to ensure the safety and protection of children.
During the programme, the resource person, who is the Founder of Pankh NGO, explained the distinction between child labour and age-appropriate household responsibilities. The session highlighted that children should not be engaged in labour and emphasised that every child has the right to education, play, a safe environment and opportunities to realise their full potential.
The awareness session focused on enhancing public understanding of children’s rights while encouraging community members to recognise and report situations in which children may require protection. The programme also underscored the role of communities in supporting efforts to prevent child labour and safeguard children’s welfare.
The Pradhan of Guptapara Panchayat appreciated the initiative undertaken by the Directorate of Social Welfare and said such awareness programmes help strengthen community participation in protecting children. The Pradhan also stated that greater public awareness contributes to building a safer society by encouraging collective responsibility towards child protection.
The programme formed part of the Directorate’s continuing efforts to raise awareness on child rights and strengthen community engagement in addressing issues related to child labour and child protection through coordinated outreach and public education initiatives.
