Protect rights, safety and welfare of women and children: CM
AGARTALA: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has underscored the importance of raising awareness within society to protect the rights, safety and welfare of women and children. He advocated for sustained efforts to combat child marriage and substance abuse, secure cyber safety and empower women through skill development to enhance their self-reliance and societal standing.
These statements were made during two consecutive meetings with the Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Tripura State Commission for Women in Agartala Thursday.
The Chief Minister highlighted that creating a positive societal mindset requires awareness initiatives rather than just administrative actions. He proposed the organisation of regular seminars, workshops and creative outreach through mediums like drama to effectively communicate these messages.
Identifying and addressing local issues faced by women and children is vital, alongside providing necessary counseling services. He also encouraged the engagement of influential community members, educators and social workers in these awareness efforts.
Key discussions during the meetings revolved around continuous awareness initiatives that focus on preventing child marriage and substance abuse and enhancing cyber safety for women. The Chief Minister also expressed concerns about children in care homes, emphasising the creation of pathways for their self-reliance through skill development, education and proper care.
In his address, Chief Minister Saha called for expanding opportunities for women's education and economic empowerment while ensuring their safety. He reiterated the need for skill training programs to facilitate women's integration into the social and economic fabric of society.
The session commenced with Tapan Kumar Das, Special Secretary of the Social Welfare and Social Education Department, presenting a comprehensive overview of the programmes executed by the Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights. This included information on school and home visits, counseling services, initiatives to prevent child marriage and awareness campaigns. The Tripura Commission for Women also provided updates on women's rights, safety, empowerment efforts and future strategic plans.
Attendees at the back-to-back meetings included government officials and representatives from pertinent departments.