Training held for CWC, JJB members on protection of child rights

A two-day training programme organised by the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights for members of child welfare committees (CWCs), juvenile justice boards (JJBs), district Crime Branch nodal officers, and district child protection officers (DCPOs) began here on Monday.

Women and Child Development Principal Secretary Sharmila Mary Joseph who inaugurated the programme stressed the need to prioritise children’s best interests while taking any decisions or issuing orders related to them. Proper support should be given to ensure that children in need of care and protection do not turn into those in conflict with law. Mechanisms should be put in place in schools and houses to identify children’s problems and address.

Inspector General of Police S. Ajeetha Begum who was the chief guest called for a single dashboard that brought together departments and agencies connected with children’s protection. Information on children could be made available to the police, CWC, JJB, DCPUs, and legal services authority and monitored through the dashboard, she said.

Officials should see their interventions for children not as discharging their duty. Instead, the children should be treated as one of their family and protected, Ms. Begum said.

Commission chairperson K.V. Manoj Kumar who presided over the training underscored the need to ensure children’s best interests. He said those working in areas related to children should be familiar with a range of laws. Special attention should be paid to ensuring their safety in cyber space. Awarness of this should be created among children and parents, Mr. Manoj Kumar said.

The second day of the training on Tuesday will include issues related to children in need of care and protection and those in conflict with law; rehabilitation of children and their repatriation to their home States; and challenges in disclosing details of children as per the Right to Information Act. An open discussion by Mohan Roy, Professor of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Kollam, will follow.