Warangal: Call to protect child rights

Warangal: There is an imperative need for strengthening child protection committees at village level, Telangana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TSCPCR) Member Anumandla Shobha Rani said. Speaking at the 'Line Departments Convergence Meeting on Child Protection & Interaction with Child Care Institutions' here on Thursday, she emphasised the need for resolving issues faced by the children in rural areas.

"It's difficult to safeguard the rights of children unless the line department work in tandem," Shobha Rani said. She said that onus is on the Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to gather information about the problems faced by the children and suggest solutions for the same.

Referring to the female infanticide and pre-natal sex determination tests, she suggested the officials to organise awareness programmes to sensitse masses about the role of girl child in the society. This apart, the officials need to put up wall posters in

State-run and private hospitals to create awareness about the importance of girl child.

Shobha Rani, who elicited information about the sex ratio in the district, enquired about the welfare programmes being taken for the children of brick kiln workers. She told the officials to ensure temporary schooling facilities for these kids near brick kilns.

Warangal Rural District Welfare Officer (DWO) K Chinnaiah explained about the children rescued through Operation Smile and other programmes with the coordination of District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Childline-1098, Police and the Labour Department. Stating that the role of Labour Department is vital, Chinnaiah emphasised the need for more concerted effort by the line departments in eradicating child labour.

Warangal Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Chairperson Mandala Parashuramulu lauded the endeavours of the DCPU and the Childline-1098 in the protection of child rights. He urged the authorities to provide a vehicle to help the officials work more efficiently. DCPO G Mahender Reddy listed out the programmes organised by the DCPU for the protection of child rights.

CWC Members K Manjula, V Balaraju, District Extension Media Officer P Swaroopa Rani, Assistant Labour Officer Rajakumari, CDPO Padma, ACDPO Bhagyalaxmi, Bala Raksha Coordinator A Vijayalaxmi, childline-1098 Coordinator Veerababu, Sub-inspectors Hafeezuddin, Mallesh and DEO Superintendent Srinivas Rao were among others present.