All stakeholders need to come together on a single platform for the betterment of children: Justice Sanjeev Kumar
BANDIPORA: In a significant step towards promoting child rights and protection, Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority (J&KLSA) and District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Bandipora, in collaboration with the Indian Army and UNICEF, organized one-day capacity building programme on child protection under the NALSA (Child Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme-2024, at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Dawar Gurez.
On the occasion, Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and Executive Chairman of the J&KLSA, delivered the presidential address, emphasizing the paramount importance of ensuring the welfare and protection of children in practical sense.
During his address, Justice Kumar highlighted the pivotal role of Legal Services Units for children, constituted in every district of the UT of J&K by the DLSAs, in accordance with the NALSA (Child Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme-2024. He underscored the need for collective efforts from all stakeholders to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children, ensuring their rights are protected and their futures are secured.
Executive Chairman, J&KLSA stressed the importance of imparting advanced training programs to all units for their effective implementation and emphasized the need for conducting more awareness programs in the future, specifically targeting children in collaboration with other stakeholders like UNICEF etc.
He highlighted critical issues such as Child Marriage, Child Labour, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, underscoring the need for concerted efforts to address these challenges on the gross root level.
He also handed over the IEC material to all the stakeholders including, Asha Workers, Teachers, Aganwadi Workers, students, etc.
In a historic step Justice Kumar for the first time held DB proceedings from Gurez connecting from Munsiff court Gurez with Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, High Court wing Jammu as well as Srinagar. He presided over the highest court of UT of JK and heard almost 50 matters through virtual mode, such an initiative is not only launch of the VC facilities from Munsiff court Gurez but is also a regular facility for litigants, lawyers and other stakeholders providing them a platform from remotest area of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a symbolic gesture promoting environmental awareness and stewardship, Justice Kumar concluded the event by planting saplings in the premises of the school.
Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&KLSA emphasized the importance of collective efforts in promoting child protection and ensuring that children receive the care and support they deserve.
Khalil Ahmad Choudhary, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Chairman, DLSA, Bandipora, in his keynote address, emphasized the significance of child protection and the role of various stakeholders in ensuring the welfare and safety of children.
Syed Mujtaba, Consultant, UNICEF, delivered an enlightening presentation on the Child Protection Ecosystem, providing valuable insights into the constitutional and legal safeguards for child protection.
Mohammad Hashim, Member, Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Bandipora, delivered a summary on ‘Interface with Various Departments: Convergence Efforts and Plan of Action for Collaboration under the NALSA Scheme 2024.’
The IEC material on child protection prepared by UNICEF in collaboration with JKLSA was also distributed among the participants
The programme witnessed huge participation from various stakeholders, including legal professionals, officials from social welfare department, education, health, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and representatives from the Indian Army and UNICEF.