Naveen Patnaik bats for child rights

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: The lawmakers have to take issues related to children’s welfare most zealously, ignoring our political differences and other partisan considerations, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said here today.Addressing sensitisation programme for MLAs on child rights organised by UNICEF and Kalinga Kusum Foundation at Gopabandhu Academy, Patnaik said the State and society have the primary responsibility in protecting children from violence, abuse and neglect.He said that a number of legislations are in force to protect the rights of children.The Juvenile Justice Act, the Protection of Child Rights Act, and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act are some of the legislations directed at protecting children’s rights.“Moreover, we have the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, various Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards and other organisations to pursue these issues vigorously.“However, only making laws is not enough.We as lawmakers must ensure effective implementation of laws to ensure that the laws protecting and asserting the children’s rights are effectively enforced.“Adopting and enforcing strong laws protecting children, overseeing Government activities, allocating financial resources, raising awareness and providing advocacy are what you all can do to help alleviate children’s sufferings,” Patnaik observed. The Chief Minister said the issues related to children’s rights cut across considerations of political systems and geography.“The entire world is grief stricken over the recent horrific incident at a Peshawar school.The people of India are strongly behind the bereaved souls in Pakistan.Children belong to none, but humanity.”He congratulated UNICEF and Kalinga Kusum Foundation for the initiative for involving lawmakers in ensuring protection of children and their rights in the State.Among others who attended the programme include Minister Lalbihari Himirika, BMC Mayor Anant Narayan Jena, former advisor of Election Commission of India Bhagaban Prakash, Chief of UNICEF Odisha Yumi Bae, and Chairman of Kalinga Kusum Foundation Sujeet Kumar.