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The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Concern over ‘non-translation' of teenage pregnancies into POCSO Act cases
Based on Right To Information (RTI) data, an activist has expressed concern over the alleged non-translation of teenage pregnancies into Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cases in Madurai district. As per the RTI obtained by A. Veronica Mary, a health activist based in Madurai, in the 87 Primary Health Centres (PHC), 55 in rural and 32 in urban, located in the district, a total of 1,127 deliveries were performed in teenagers, aged under 18, between 2023 and 2024. While 429 deliveries were registered in 2023, 698 deliveries were performed in 2024, according to the data. Of all the PHCs in the district, Saptur PHC with 31 deliveries stood first, and T. Pudhupatti PHC with 30 deliveries, Virathanur PHC with 29 deliveries, Kancharampettai PHC and Thaniyamangalam PHC with 26 deliveries and Thumbaipatti PHC 25, followed in the list. Ms. Mary, pointing out the appalling number of teenage pregnancies recorded in the PHCs, questioned whether all of the pregnancies had been translated into POCSO. As per the system, the doctor or the hospital or the institution, whoever is first learning about the pregnancy of a minor girl, either through Child Line number 1098 or through available means, should inform the district administration, she added. Following the registration of the complaint, the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) or the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) should inform the police in addition to providing counselling or support to the victim, Ms. Mary stated. While there was a system or mechanism to bring the issue of teenage pregnancy to the notice of the police to follow up on the matter, the difference in POCSO cases in comparison with the RTI data showed that there existed a gap in the process, she alleged. Instead of reacting to such minor pregnancies, Social Welfare Department officials along with the Police Department should carry out awareness campaigns in schools and villages, she suggested. A social welfare department official who did not want to be named said that any information they receive regarding minor marriage or pregnancy, would be informed to the police. 'Even doctors are directed to inform the DCPU or social welfare department about the teenage pregnancies they come across. So, we have a tab on all such incidents in the district,' the official added.
The Print
12-06-2025
- The Print
Nagaland observes World Day against Child Labour with call to protect children's rights
Joint Labour Commissioner T Chubayanger cited growing reports of families — particularly in urban centres like Kohima — employing children under the pretext of 'mission work' or as domestic help, often subjecting them to neglect or abuse. The event, marked by awareness drives for leaders of colonies and wards, emphasised that despite progress, child labour persists in various forms across the state. Kohima, Jun 12 (PTI) Nagaland observed 'World Day Against Child Labour' on Thursday, with a call for all stakeholders — including government agencies, civil society, and the public — to intensify efforts in eliminating child labour and safeguarding children's rights. He reiterated that employing children below 14 years is illegal, carrying penalties of up to six months imprisonment and Rs 20,000 fine or both. Adolescents aged between 14 and 18 may be employed only under non-hazardous conditions, with limited working hours, he said, adding that violations can result in fines and imprisonment. 'If both husband and wife are working, they should employ an adult to look after their children instead of violating the rights of another child,' he said. Chubayanger said the Labour department, in coordination with other agencies, has initiated raid of establishments which include shops, commercial establishments, workshops, farms, restaurants, etc. The joint labour commissioner also announced that surprise inspections of homes where children are engaged as domestic helpers and schools targeting cases of children being consecutively absent for more than 15 days under the Right to Education Act would be launched soon. Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, B Henok Buchem, reaffirmed the district's commitment to penalise those employing children illegally. 'As a people known for our warrior heritage and Christian values, it is unacceptable that crimes against children are being normalised in our society,' he said. He called for collective responsibility and moral vigilance, urging society not to judge children based on their socio-economic background. Kohima District Child Protection Officer Sekho Dawhuo highlighted the role of the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) under the Mission Vatsalya programme. The DCPU is responsible for protecting vulnerable children — including those in need of care, children in conflict with the law, and children eligible for adoption, he said. The officer stressed the importance of community participation in identifying child labour and abuse, urging citizens to immediately report such cases to local police or dial the Child Helpline 1098, a 24×7 emergency outreach service. Dawhuo emphasised the role of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), a legal body constituted under the Juvenile Justice Act, empowered to ensure the rehabilitation and care of rescued children. He reminded the media to protect the identity of children involved in abuse or labour cases, as per Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act 2015. 'Violating this section by revealing any identifying details can result in imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh,' he said. PTI NBS NBS RG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Nagaland observes World Day against Child Labour with call to protect children's rights
Kohima, Nagaland observed 'World Day Against Child Labour' on Thursday, with a call for all stakeholders — including government agencies, civil society, and the public — to intensify efforts in eliminating child labour and safeguarding children's rights. The event, marked by awareness drives for leaders of colonies and wards, emphasised that despite progress, child labour persists in various forms across the state. Joint Labour Commissioner T Chubayanger cited growing reports of families — particularly in urban centres like Kohima — employing children under the pretext of "mission work" or as domestic help, often subjecting them to neglect or abuse. He reiterated that employing children below 14 years is illegal, carrying penalties of up to six months imprisonment and ₹20,000 fine or both. Adolescents aged between 14 and 18 may be employed only under non-hazardous conditions, with limited working hours, he said, adding that violations can result in fines and imprisonment. "If both husband and wife are working, they should employ an adult to look after their children instead of violating the rights of another child," he said. Chubayanger said the Labour department, in coordination with other agencies, has initiated raid of establishments which include shops, commercial establishments, workshops, farms, restaurants, etc. The joint labour commissioner also announced that surprise inspections of homes where children are engaged as domestic helpers and schools targeting cases of children being consecutively absent for more than 15 days under the Right to Education Act would be launched soon. Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, B Henok Buchem, reaffirmed the district's commitment to penalise those employing children illegally. "As a people known for our warrior heritage and Christian values, it is unacceptable that crimes against children are being normalised in our society," he said. He called for collective responsibility and moral vigilance, urging society not to judge children based on their socio-economic background. Kohima District Child Protection Officer Sekho Dawhuo highlighted the role of the District Child Protection Unit under the Mission Vatsalya programme. The DCPU is responsible for protecting vulnerable children — including those in need of care, children in conflict with the law, and children eligible for adoption, he said. The officer stressed the importance of community participation in identifying child labour and abuse, urging citizens to immediately report such cases to local police or dial the Child Helpline 1098, a 24x7 emergency outreach service. Dawhuo emphasised the role of the Child Welfare Committee , a legal body constituted under the Juvenile Justice Act, empowered to ensure the rehabilitation and care of rescued children. He reminded the media to protect the identity of children involved in abuse or labour cases, as per Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015. "Violating this section by revealing any identifying details can result in imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to ₹2 lakh," he said.
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
12 children from childcare homes in Kerala's Ernakulam join families under vacation foster care program
Twelve children, eight girls and four boys aged 15 and below, from childcare institutes in Ernakulam district under the Kerala Women and Child Development department, were sent out on vacation foster care (VFC) to as many families during the just-concluded summer vacation. Though there were more applications, a few families had to be turned down since the children identified were reluctant, while in two other cases, families dropped out after they could not find children aged less than 10 years, as they preferred. Notwithstanding wider publicity, the number of children benefitting from being part of joyful, functional families under the VFC has more or less remained around 12 to 13. Children aged between 6 and 18 in childcare institutes in the district are considered for VFC. There are nearly 900 children in 49 child care institutes in Ernakulam. Children who are either orphans or cannot return to their families during the two-month-long vacation are made available for the program, subject to their consent. In rare cases, the VFC has led to long-term foster care, like in the case of a 12-year-old orphaned girl whose foster care was extended by the family last year. 'Long-term foster care has to be renewed every six months. After two years, the family can adopt the child by following due process, including registering at the Central Adoption Resource Authority,' said Staicy Manjooran, Program Officer (Non-institutional Care, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU). Both in vacation and long-term foster care, inquiry officers of the DCPU conduct a home study of the potential foster family, prepare a social investigation report, and investigate the financial and medical backgrounds before allotting children. In VFC, fortnightly inquiries are conducted to ensure the well-being of the children. 'We also counsel children before sending them to families under VFC, clarifying that they must return to the institute at the end of the vacation. The experience has been, by and large, cheerful for both the children and the families, notwithstanding adjustment issues in some cases. Often, a bond develops between children and their foster parents, making separation at the end of the vacation very emotional,' said Ms. Manjooran. There are also instances in which fostering families return asking for the same children in successive years. Two children were sent out on VFC to the same families this year, pointing at the lasting emotional bond created through VFC, which was launched in the district around four years ago.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
47 ‘minor' girls rescued from four shrimp processing units in Nellore district
As many as 47 girls, suspected to be minors, working in four shrimp processing units, were rescued by special teams during joint inspections across SPSR Nellore district. Cases have been filed against these firms and the labour contractors at the Kodavalur, Dagadarthi and Indukurupeta police stations. As per the orders issued by District Collector O. Anand, the special teams constituted of officials from District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Factories and Police departments. Speaking to The Hindu, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Suresh Kumar said, 'The teams conducted inspections at 12 shrimp processing units as per the action plan. We identified some girls, suspected to be minors, engaging in child labour, in four shrimp processing units.' 'With the support of Medical Officer, the DCPU has rescued these girls, who allegedly have been recorded as majors in their Aadhaar cards. They were shifted to Viswajanani, a child care institution registered under Juvenile Justice Act, at Rajupalem village in Kodavalur mandal,' he informed. Of the 47 girls, 10 have been confirmed as minors based on general, dental and radiological examination conducted by a team of doctors from ACSR Government General Hospital (GGH) in Nellore. Following the examinations, they were handed over to their parents from Odisha.
