A three-day special training workshop on prevention and awareness of crimes against women and children commenced in Tiruvannamalai on Monday under the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” scheme of the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department.
District Collector K. Tharbargaraj inaugurated the workshop at the Vijay Park Auditorium in Hotel Tiruvannamalai and released awareness banners. Around 50 officials from the Revenue, Police, Medical, Education and Social Welfare Departments are participating in the programme.
In his address, the Collector said the true progress of a society is reflected in how safely and respectfully its women and children live. While women have made strides in education and employment, challenges such as domestic violence, dowry harassment, child marriage and cybercrime continue to pose serious concerns, he noted.
He stressed that legislations enacted under the Constitution, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, are intended not only to punish offenders but also to safeguard and rehabilitate victims.
The workshop aims to enhance the efficiency of officers and volunteers and ensure coordinated and timely support to victims. Sessions will focus on tackling emerging crimes such as cyber exploitation and human trafficking, besides strengthening legal and medical assistance mechanisms available through government agencies
The Collector urged participants to effectively utilise the training and work proactively in their respective departments to safeguard the rights of women and children.
Assistant Collector (Training) Amrutha S. Kumar, Deputy Collector (Training) Santosh Kumar, District Social Welfare Officer Gomathi, District Public Relations Officer G. Saravanan and other officials attended the inaugural session.
