Child Protection & Explosive Ordnance Risk Education JKLSA organises 1-day capacity building programme at Baramulla

Baramulla, May 28: J&K Legal Services Authority (JKLSA), in collaboration with UNICEF India and with the support of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Baramulla, organised a one-day Capacity Building Programme on Child Protection and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) at the Conference Hall of the District Court Complex, Baramulla, said a statement.

The programme was organized under the guidance and supervision of the worthy Chairman, District Legal Services Authority( Principal District and Sessions ) Baramulla, Jawad Ahmad.

The programme was inaugurated with a welcome address by the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority Baramulla, Javid Ahmad Pary. He emphasised the significance of this initiative, especially in light of the recent cross-border shelling incidents in Uri, and underlined the importance of raising awareness around child safety and legal rights.

The event was saw the presence of Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, who delivered the presidential address. She highlighted the pivotal role of JKLSA in safeguarding the rights of vulnerable sections, especially children, and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to providing accessible legal services for all, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including Chairperson and members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Baramulla, Members of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB),Panel lawyers and Legal Aid Défense Counsels, members of legal services unit for children, Baramulla staff members from the One Stop Centre, Baramulla, Officers from the Social Welfare Department, Officers in charge of Juvenile Police Units from Baramulla and Sopore, Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs) associated with DLSA Baramulla and TLSCs from across the district. Muzamil Wagay, Consultant, UNICEF India, sensitized the participants about Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), stressing the need for community-level awareness and preparedness to mitigate the risks posed by unexploded ordnance, especially among children in border districts.

Sibtain Geelani, Panel Lawyer and Member of the Legal Service unit for children (LSUC) Baramulla, served as a resource person and delivered a detailed presentation on the NALSA (Child Friendly Legal Services to Children ) Scheme, 2024.

Her session elaborated on the rights-based framework and access to legal remedies for children in vulnerable situations. Additional sessions were led by Mujtaba, consultant from UNICEF, Waseem Ahmad, chairperson, child welfare committee (CWC) Baramulla and Kaiser Ahmad, Legal Probation Officer, Baramulla who shed light on child rights protection mechanisms, prevention of abuse, and implementation of various child welfare legislations. Their interactive discussions enabled participants to understand legal tools and institutional support systems available for child protection, said the statement.