APSCPCR Promotes Legal Rights and Digital Safety Under State-Wide Child Welfare Campaign in Lower Subansiri

A comprehensive multi-agency child rights awareness programme was recently conducted at Mihin Bagang Government Secondary School in Hapoli, Ziro, as part of the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) statewide “28-District Child Rights Outreach, Awareness and Child Welfare Assessment Campaign” held under the overarching theme “Know Your Rights – Protect Every Child.” Organized in close collaboration with the Lower Subansiri District Administration and the Department of Women and Child Development, the event was designed to educate students, teachers, and local community members on crucial legal safeguards, digital safety, child protection, and holistic well-being. Following an inaugural traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and a welcome address by Deputy Director (ICDS)-cum-District Child Protection Officer Kago Maya Gyati, the gathering heard insightful addresses from key leaders, including Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme, Superintendent of Police Techi Hanyir, and APSCPCR members Niri Chongruju and Taba Champa Riba, all of whom collectively emphasized the critical necessity of synergistic cooperation between governmental bodies, educational institutions, and society at large to secure a safe environment for minors. During the core technical sessions, experts delivered targeted awareness talks covering vital legislation such as the Juvenile Justice Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Right to Education, and essential school safety protocols, while also addressing mental health awareness and the prevention of substance abuse. Additionally, specialized presentations by the Women Police Station Officer-in-Charge tackled pressing contemporary issues like online safety, cyberbullying, social media misuse, and gaming addiction, complemented by insights from District Labour and Employment Officer N. Pugang on eradicating child labour and preventing child marriage. The interactive event concluded with an engaging question-and-answer segment where students and community members actively voiced their concerns and queries to district officials, successfully fulfilling its objective of empowering the younger generation with legal literacy and practical tools for self-protection.