We are engaging directly with schools to make children aware of their rights and recognise rights violations, and train teachers and parents on the same, said Sheela Jayanthi, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee about upholding children’s rights.

“We should become proactive when it comes to raising awareness on child rights. Furthermore, for a child who has been sexually abused, rehabilitation and social reintegration are the primary goals,” she added.

She was speaking at a discussion organised by HOPE Foundation here on Friday, which focused on strengthening child protection mechanisms in India.

P. Joseph Victor Raj, Director of the foundation, said, “Despite the deadline for the abolition of child labour being set for 2025, many countries fall short.”

“The first thing that children in schools need to learn is good and bad touch, which every teacher must explain in detail,” said Navarathinam, Inspector, Crime Against Women and Children Unit.

V. Ushanandini, member of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) interacted with the educators in the audience. “Coordination with parents of abused children doesn’t come easy, but we should learn the different approaches to let them know [about the struggles faced by their child],” she said.

“Repeated interviews of children who underwent abuse have come down, and when it comes to child abuse, identification is important. Child-friendly police stations are being implemented, but more change is needed in these areas,“ said David Sundar Singh, advocate at SCPCR.

The Programme Manager of State Child Protection Society, Poovizhi Manikandan, gave an overview of Mission Vatsalya, and explained the categories of childcare institutions and the role of child help desk at bus stands and railway stations in the State.

Member of Juvenile Justice Board S. Ramalingam addressed NGOs on practical skills for intervention, including empathetic listening, assisting in legal aid, family counselling and reintegration.

A second session – chaired by Virgil D. Sami, State Convenor, Campaign Against Child Labour – focused on international mechanisms in child protection.

Henri Tiphagne, Executive director of People’s Watch; V.A. Ramesh Nathan, Executive director of SASY; S. Venkatraman, Senior Consultant of UNESCO; V. Suresh, National General Secretary of People’s Union for Civil Liberties; Nancy J. Anabel, Country director, Children Believe; and Selwyn Thomas, Talent Tribe, New Zealand, also spoke.