‘Need to raise awareness among stakeholders about POSCO Act’

Srinagar, July 11: In a significant move to reinforce the protection and empowerment of children through legal awareness and institutional collaboration, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Srinagar today organised a comprehensive ‘Awareness & Coordination Meeting’ focusing on the POCSO Act, JAGRITI Unit, DAWN Unit, and ASHA Unit.The programme, held under the chairmanship of Tasleem Arief, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar, aimed at creating an inclusive platform for dialogue, sensitization, and commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of children.Aadil Mushtaq, Chief Judicial Magistrate/Chairman, Tehsil Legal Services Committee (TLSC), Srinagar chaired the meeting, which saw enthusiastic participation from heads of educational institutions, representatives of the School Education department, Para-legal volunteers, members of units and officials of DLSA Srinagar.At the outset, the objective of the meeting was outlined, to raise awareness among educational stakeholders about the provisions and importance of the POCSO Act and to ensure effective functioning and coordination of institutional mechanisms such as the JAGRITI Unit DAWN Unit and ASHA Unit. The forum provided a robust space for sharing insights, identifying challenges, and evolving a collective strategy to enhance outreach and impact at the school level.In his address, CJM emphasized the pressing need to integrate legal awareness and child protection strategies within the framework of the school education system. He reiterated that children, being among the most vulnerable sections of society, must be equipped with knowledge about their rights and have access to responsive and supportive mechanisms.He also underlined the importance of early legal literacy and community-level intervention in preventing exploitation, abuse, and neglect.Adv. Suhaila Ali (Panel Lawyer) highlighted the role of Legal Services Institutions in building protective frameworks around children through legal outreach, sensitization drives, and collaborative training modules.A unanimous resolution was passed during the meeting to launch a joint action plan between DLSA/TLSC Srinagar and the School Education department to conduct structured awareness programmes in all schools of district Srinagar.These programmes will particularly focus on educating students, teachers, and staff about the legal provisions of the POCSO Act, available support units like JAGRITI, DAWN, and ASHA, and the channels to report any instances of abuse, harassment, or neglect.DLSA also announced that regular sensitization drives, legal literacy sessions, and interactive legal camps will be organized in both urban and rural schools with the active involvement of trained Para Legal Volunteers, and legal aid defense counsels. These initiatives aim to empower school communities to act as first responders in matters of child protection and ensure that no child is left behind in accessing justice, safety, and dignity.The meeting concluded with a shared sense of responsibility, mutual commitment, and a pledge to continue working ‘Together for a Safer Tomorrow.’