Issues of sexual exploitation discussed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 21 2011:
A one-day workshop on "Manipur in the present scenario related to sexual exploitation of women and children" was held today at Keishampat Keisham Leikai community hall under the aegis of the Holistic Development Organisation.
Speaking at the inaugural session as chief guest, Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar conceded that benefits of children welfare programmes taken up by the Government could not be delivered fully to the targeted children.
He stated that both the Central Government and the State Government have launched several programmes for the welfare of children and protection of their rights at the cost of huge funds.
Different departments like Social Welfare Department, Education Department, Family Welfare Department and Labour department have been implementing various schemes so as to ensure nutrition, free education etc to children.
Family Welfare Department has also been implementing different programmes to keep expectant mothers and their children healthy starting from the day babies are conceived.
While children should be provided nutritious food under ICDS, children are given free education under SSA scheme.
Benefits of all these schemes have been eluding many children of the State, Jayantakumar stated.
He also shared serious concern at the increasing rate of sexual exploitation of children.
The inaugural session was also attended by Social Welfare Board Chairperson RK Nayansana and Social Department Probation Officer K Saroja as president and guest of honour respectively.
Prof N Joykumar of Manipur and secretary of Women Action for Development M Sobita presented papers in the first session.