Consultation on "Protection of Children with Disabilities" held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 14 2024: A State Level Stakeholders' Consultation on Protection of Children with Disabilities for "Effective Implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act and POCSO Act with Specific Focus on Children with Disabilities" was organised today at the Auditorium, High Court of Manipur.

The consultation was jointly organised by Juvenile Justice Committee, Supreme Court and Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of Manipur on the themes: (i) Availability of services to inform judicial processes for children in conflict with law and child victims including survivors of sexual violence; (ii) Availability of professional/functionaries/specialized and skilled workforce; and (iii) Availability of services for the well-being of Children with Disabilities who are in Child Care Institutions (across the categories of Children's Homes, Observation Homes, Special Homes, Place of Safety).

The consultation was chaired by Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of Manipur's Chairperson, Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh and Member, Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui, said a release issued by Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of Manipur.

Delivering the keynote address, Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui stated the objective of the consultation is to strengthen the protection of children with disabilities, in the context of implementation of Juvenile Justice Act and the POCSO Act including children who have been victims of sexual violence.

Representatives of various stakeholder departments, namely State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights, POCSO Courts, Children Courts, Juvenile Justice Boards, Social Welfare, Manipur Police, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Prosecution, Manipur State Legal Services Authority, Health Services, Education (S)/ Samagra Shiksha, Special School, Child Care Institutions, CSOs/NGOS/CBOs and Child Welfare Committees attended the consultation and presented their views, concerns and gave their recommendations with regard to the themes laid out for the National Level Annual Stakeholders Consultation on the Protection of Children with Disabilities, 2024.Further, the stakeholders deliberated/reviewed on the progress made and challenges faced along with focus areas defined through the National Consultation held in 2023 and the recommendations which emerged for children in conflict with law.

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