Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 419/15

AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON CHILDREN AND WOMENS RIGHTS LAUNCHED

Shillong, June 19, 2015: The Awareness Programme on Children and Women’s Rights was formally inaugurated by Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Shri P. B. O. Warjri here today at St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong. The Awareness programme is being organized by the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR), Meghalaya and the State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW), Meghalaya in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department, Meghalaya and Round Table, India supported by Shillong Round Table-252.

It may be mentioned that the awareness programmes will be conducted in 28 schools and colleges from June 19 to July 31, 2015 in East Khasi Hills District with the aim of creating awareness on issues relating to sexual health, child trafficking, substance abuse, early marriages, violence against women and girl child, life skills etc.

Speaking at the inaugural function as Chief Guest, Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Shri P. B. O. Warjri said that children are being deprived of certain rights. Adults should treat children with love and care and must ensure that every right that is entitled to them should be given to them, he added. He encouraged the school children to respect each other and urged them to not only fight for their own rights but also ensure that others who are also being deprived of such rights get it too. He hoped that such awareness programmes will awaken and influence the young minds in bringing about a healthy and peaceful environment in our society.

Others present at the inaugural function include Commissioner & Secretary, Social Welfare, Shri T. Dkhar, Director, Social Welfare, Shri H. M. Shangpliang, Chairperson, SCPCR, Meghalaya, Smti M. Kharkongor, Mission Director, SRCW, Smti I. Warjri and Principal, St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Sister Sonia.

The welcome address was delivered by Smti M. Kharkongor, Chairperson, SCPCR, Meghalaya and Smti I. Warjri, Mission Director, SRCW, Meghalaya offered the vote of thanks.

The lectures and interactive sessions with the school children that followed the inaugural function was facilitated by the Chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR), Meghalaya, the Mission Director and personnel of the State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW), Meghalaya.