All departments must act together to protect children

Emphasising the need for coordinated action among all departments, a district-level child protection review meeting was held on Monday at the District Rural Development Agency premises in Tiruvannamalai.
The meeting was chaired by Tamil Nadu State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson Pudukottai Vijaya and presided over by Tiruvannamalai District Collector K. Tharpagaraj. It was organised by the Department of Child Welfare and Special Services.
During the meeting, officials carried out a comprehensive review of government schemes implemented for the welfare, safety and development of children.
Detailed discussions were held on the functioning of the District Child Protection Unit, availability of basic facilities in children’s hostels and the implementation of various social welfare schemes.
The review also covered awareness programmes to prevent child marriage, complaints registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, compensation provided to victims of sexual crimes, steps taken to eliminate child labour and measures to ensure uninterrupted education for children.
Special focus was laid on the infrastructure and functioning of Anganwadi centres, issues related to child malnutrition, the status of medical screening under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram and initiatives to prevent violence against children. Addressing the meeting, Chairperson Pudukottai Vijaya said the State government was implementing several schemes to ensure the safety of children and women and to promote education.
While noting progress in education and women’s safety, she stressed that children’s access to rights and protection must be ensured without any gaps.
She urged all departmental officers to work effectively in coordination with the public.
The meeting was attended by Tiruvannamalai Superintendent of Police Dr. M. Sudhakar, Commission members Dr. M. Kasimirraj, Mona Matilda Bhaskar and Selvendran, District Child Protection Officer Selvi, District Health Officer V. Prakash, Social Welfare Officer Gomathi, Project Officer Meenambigai, the District Chief Education Officer and officials from various departments.
Officials assured that integrated and sustained efforts would be strengthened to improve child welfare and protection across Tiruvannamalai district.