LI Network
Published on: 20 September 2023 at 12:55 IST
The Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority, in collaboration with the Department of Women, Child Development and Social Security, Government of Jharkhand, Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation, and Bachpan Bachao Andolan, organized a significant State-level Colloquium on “Safeguarding Child Rights: Legal Aspects and Training” on September 17, 2023.
The event was held at the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Auditorium at the Judicial Academy Jharkhand.
The event was graced by several distinguished personalities, with Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, a Supreme Court Judge and Executive Chairman of NALSA, serving as the Chief Guest.
Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, Chief Justice of the High Court of Jharkhand and Patron-in-Chief of JHALSA, was the Guest of Honour.
The event was also attended by Justice S. Chandrashekhar, Judge of the High Court of Jharkhand and Executive Chairman of JHALSA, along with Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad, Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay, and other esteemed judges from the High Court of Jharkhand.
In his Inaugural Address, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul emphasized the critical importance of protecting children’s rights, stating, “Children are the future of our nation, and it is our duty to ensure their rights are upheld so they can reach their fullest potential.”
He stressed the necessity of treating every child with dignity, respect, and equality, regardless of their gender or social background. Justice Kaul highlighted India’s commitment to child rights through international agreements such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and various domestic laws.
Justice Kaul also addressed the issue of child labor, calling for comprehensive social welfare programs, access to education, skill development, and livelihood opportunities for parents of child laborers to break the cycle of poverty. He emphasized the importance of focusing on a child’s immediate growth and development.
In his Introductory Address, Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra underscored the global issue of violence against children and the significance of India’s legal framework, including the POCSO Act and the J.J. Act. He urged stakeholders to challenge harmful stereotypes related to sexual abuse against children, dispelling notions that only girls can be victims and that perpetrators are always strangers.
Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad, in the Opening Address, emphasized the pivotal role children play in shaping the nation’s future. He stressed that society must ensure the full development of every child’s personality, as they are the bearers of knowledge, cultural heritage, and ideologies.
Following the Inaugural ceremony, four technical sessions were held on the topic “Schemes And Programmes For Development And Welfare Of Vulnerable Children in Jharkhand” by Sri Kripa Nand Jha, IAS Secretary, Dept. of Women, Child Development & Social Security, Govt. of Jharkhand.
The second technical session covered “The Legal Perspective” and was presented by Justice Ananda Sen, assisted by Shri Manoj Prasad, Chairman of the Commercial Taxes Tribunal, Ranchi.
The third technical session delved into “Understanding Children and Their Vulnerability to Abuse And Exploitation,” with Mr. Ravi Kant, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India & Country Head, KSCF, US, leading the discussion.
The final technical session focused on the topic “Preparation Of Plan of Action Including Timeline For Sensitization Of All The VLCPC Members Across The State,” led by Dr. Sangita Gaur, Assistant Director (Training and Capacity Building), KSCF, India.
The State-level Colloquium was a resounding success, charting the course for future actions in protecting child rights and ensuring the well-being of the youngest members of society.
