Shillong, Nov 19: A one-day district level campaign on “End Violence against Children” was organised by the World Vision India with an objective to create awareness to end various types of violence against children so that they enjoy their rights.

The programme was also to make parents, youths and elders in the district aware and uphold these rights so that the children enjoy fullness of life.

The programme was held at Brookdene Hall here on November 16 where North Shillong MLA, Adelbert Nongrum was the chief guest, and Amanda Pakyntien was the guest of honour.

Chairperson, State Commission for protection of Child Rights, Meena Kharkongor, District Child Protection Officer, Paul Wahlang, Principal Bethany Society, Bertha Dkhar, and Catherine from North East Network attended as resource persons.

Nongrum started his speech by saying that the need to end violence against children is not for World vision, but for everyone in the state and the world at large.

He lauded the World Vision for taking the initiative in creating a platform to enable everyone to talk, speak and not to be silent spectators on various important issues.

“Keeping silent about crime is as good as committing crime,” the MLA said while urging everyone to report and do something and not to keep quiet when crimes against women and children are committed.

He stressed on the need to build bridges not walls and join hands together in the fight for a good cause.

The guest of honour, Amanda Pakyntien started her speech, by quoting from Matthew 9:13-15, and talked about various crimes committed against women and children including in rural areas.

Chairperson, State Commission for protection of Child Rights spoke on protection of children from sexual offences. Kharkongor also enlightened the participants some laws including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, as well as various sexual assaults such as, Penetrative sexual assault, Aggravated penetrative sexual assault, Aggravated sexual assault, Sexual Harassment, Sexual offence against boy, CWC and its role, State Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), POCSO Act and those responsible for monitoring it, Special Court and its procedure during trial of cases, and the meaning of good and bad touch.

The session resumed after tea break with Paul Wahlang, District Child Protection Officer beginning his speech by showing a video clip of children who have undergone untold sufferings during a war in the Middle East. Wahlang cited a number of incidences of child sexual abuse and violence. He also spoke at length about the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Children (UNCRC).

Representatives from Bethany Society and North East Network Organisation also spoke at the programme. Participants also got the opportunity to interact with the resource persons.

The programme was moderated by Sawwat Skhemland (Project staff) and the programme started with the recitation of the World Vision statement, “Our Vision for every child, life in all its fullness, our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so”.

Before the keynote address by Mr. Seijang Haokip, Programme Manager – East Khasi Hills Area Programme, members of the Jongksha Children Club presented a song.

The programme ended with the vote of thanks from Solomon Kahmei, and prayer from Paomin.