Srinagar, Dec 29 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Child Resource Centre under the leadership of G.A.Sofi who has recently taken over Charge as Chairman JKCRC, organised two workshops in collaboration with ICPS, Social Welfare Department and UNICEF in the city today. The workshops were first of its kind in J&K to sensitize different stakeholders from Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and ICPS cadre on Standards of Care and Compliance in Child Care institutions and Psycho-Social and Mental Health issues among Children in Jammu and Kashmir.
The representatives of CCIs both Government and NGO run, Counsellors and staff of District Child Protection Units of Kashmir Division participated in the day long workshops.
Justice Hasnain Masoodi as Chief Guest at both workshops deliberated on the need of participative approach and dialogue among all such stakeholders for better and secure future of Children.
Dr. Shekhar Seshadri (NIMHANS), Dr Sheela (NIMHANS), Bhat Iqbal, Central University of Jammu, Malika Ghalib Shah from UCL London and resource person from Kashmir University conducted sessions on various themes on child protection.
The experts at length deliberated upon different issues and concern that CCIs and other Stakeholders vis-à-vis Juvenile Justice System and Child Protection in J&K. It came up in discussions that CCIs in the State have greatly contributed in the field of child rights and it is high time that their stake in the whole Juvenile Justice System is appreciated and understood in real context. It was agreed upon by all the participants that standards of care in CCIs as envisaged under the JJ (Care and Protection) Act 2013 of J&K State must be ensured across all home in the State. It was also committed by authorities of ICPS and JKCRC that thematic capacity building workshops for staff and functionaries of CCIs shall be organized in a phased manner. Such initiatives will greatly build synergy within all stakeholders of JJ System and ensure effective implementation of the Act in letter and spirit in the interest of children of the region. (KNS)