Bandipora, Sep 22 :
In a significant step towards promoting child rights and protection, Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority and District Legal Services Authority, 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.
The programme was held at Auditorium Hall, Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Dawar Gurez.
On the occasion, Honorable Mr. Justice Sanjeev Kumar, esteemed Judge, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and Executive Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority, delivered the presidential address, emphasizing the paramount importance of ensuring the welfare and protection of children in practical sense.
During his address, His Lordship highlighted the pivotal role of Legal Services Units for children, constituted in every district of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir by the District Legal Services Authorities, in accordance with the NALSA (Child Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme-2024.
His Lordship 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.
His Lordship 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.
Furthermore, His Lordship emphasized the importance of all stakeholders coming together on a single platform for the betterment of children in conflict with law and in need of care and protection. He also 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. As a gesture for disseminating the key takeaways of the event, his Lordship has also handed over the IEC material to all the stakeholders including, Asha Workers, Teachers, Aganwadi Workers, students, etc.
In a historic step His lordship Mr. Justice Sanjeev Kumar for the first time held DB proceedings from Gurez connecting from Munsiff court Gurez with Jammu and Kashmir and Laddak, High Court wing Jammu as well as Srinagar, His lordship 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. His lordship also highlighted the importance of such a facility in remote area which implements the existence of judicial infrastructure. His Lordship urged proper use of this facility by the lawyers and litigants in e-filing of their cases even during harsh weather condition and road blockade.
In a symbolic gesture promoting environmental awareness and stewardship, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, concluded the event by planting saplings in the premises of the school. This initiative underscored the importance of nurturing the environment for future generations.
Ms. Shazia Tabasum, Worthy Member Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority, enlightening the special address. She emphasized the importance of collective efforts in promoting child protection and ensuring that children receive the care and support they deserve. She underscored the commitment of the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority in promoting child-friendly legal services and providing support to children in need. She expressed gratitude to the Indian Army and UNICEF for their support and collaboration in organizing the programme.
Mr. Khalil Ahmad Choudhary, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Bandipora, while delivering his keynote address, emphasized the significance of child protection and the role of various stakeholders in ensuring the welfare and safety of children. He highlighted the importance of creating awareness about child rights and the need for collective efforts to prevent child abuse and exploitation.
Shafeeq Ahmad Bhat, Panel Lawyer, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the NALSA (Child Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme-2024, providing an in-depth overview of its framework, perspectives, and key aspects. His presentation shed light on the crucial elements of delivering holistic and effective legal services to children, offering valuable insights into the scheme’s implementation and its potential impact on promoting child welfare and protection.
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.
He shed light on critical aspects of ensuring the safety and well-being of children within the joint family system, highlighting the importance of a robust child protection framework.
Through a compelling case study, he illustrated the practical applications and challenges of implementing child protection measures, offering a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in safeguarding children’s rights and welfare.
Mr. Mohammad Hashim, Member, Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Bandipora, delivered an exceptional summary on ‘Interface with Various Departments: Convergence Efforts and Plan of Action for Collaboration under the NALSA Scheme 2024.’
His presentation highlighted the importance of inter-departmental convergence and collaboration in ensuring effective implementation of the NALSA scheme, outlining a clear plan of action for stakeholders to work together towards promoting child welfare and protection.
Dr. Imtiyaz, Medical Officer, delivered a comprehensive address on the medico-legal aspects of child victims and children in need of care and protection.
His presentation provided valuable insights into the medical and legal dimensions of child protection, highlighting the critical role of healthcare professionals in identifying, documenting, and reporting cases of child abuse and neglect, as well as providing care and support to vulnerable children.
Mr. Sheikh Bar Hussain, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Bandipora, presented the welcome address and vote of thanks, graciously welcoming the dignitaries, resource persons, and participants to the one day capacity-building program and expressed gratitude to all for their active participation and contributions for the event’s success.
The proceedings of the programme were efficiently conducted by Nazia Parveen, Assistant LADC, and Mr. Amir Shafi, Panel Lawyer, who ensured a smooth and productive deliberation, facilitating engaging discussions and presentations throughout the event. 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, persons from social welfare department, education, health, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and representatives from the Indian Army and UNICEF.
The deliberations during the programme focused on strategies to strengthen child protection mechanisms and promote access to justice for children. The event was closely monitored by Mehak Mehoob Munsiff Gurez and SDM Gurez. (KNC)