HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Feb 20: Silchar took a significant step towards gender equality and child protection as a Joint Stakeholder Meeting under Mission Shakti was held at the new conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Wednesday.
The meeting, organised by SANKALP, District Hub for Empowerment of Women (Cachar) under the Department of Women and Child Development, was conducted in collaboration with UNICEF partner organization Independent Thought and the District Administration.
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The event also marked the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative.
The primary objective of the meeting was to strengthen the implementation of key schemes like SAMBAL, SAMARTHYA, and BBBP, with a strong focus on preventing child marriage, combating gender-based discrimination, and ensuring a safe environment for every girl child.
Various stakeholders attended the session, emphasizing the need for collective action and convergence of efforts to promote women and child welfare.
Additional District Commissioner, Women and Child Development, Kimchin Lhangum, delivered the opening address, highlighting the importance of interdepartmental coordination and community participation in ensuring the success of Mission Shakti and BBBP.
She underscored the role of collaborative governance in protecting the rights of women and children.
As the discussion progressed, District Social Welfare Officer (In-Charge) Anjali Kumari and Assistant Commissioner Bonani Bhattacharjee provided an in-depth overview of Mission Shakti and BBBP.
They discussed the initiatives’ key achievements, ongoing challenges, and proposed solutions, while also emphasising the importance of critical helplines like Women Helpline (181) and Child Helpline (1098) to ensure accessible assistance for those in distress.
Addressing the critical issue of child marriage prevention, Ram Kishor Mahawar, State Manager, Independent Thought, stressed the responsibility of stakeholders in advancing Mission Shakti and the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat initiative.
He called for convergent action among departments to protect children from early marriages, reinforcing the need for a comprehensive strategy to safeguard their rights.
The legal framework for the protection of women and children was also a focal point of the discussions. Salma Sultana, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Cachar, elaborated on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act and its implementation across the district.
She highlighted the legal safeguards against crimes like child abuse, exploitation, and forced marriages, urging all concerned departments to strengthen support systems for vulnerable groups.
The joint initiative reaffirmed the commitment of the District Administration, the Department of Women & Child Development (Cachar), and UNICEF’s partner organisation Independent Thought to ensure gender justice and child protection.
The discussions held during the session paved the way for enhanced collaboration, policy refinement, and effective execution of welfare schemes at the grassroots level.
With a unified vision, stakeholders pledged to work towards a future where every girl’s potential is nurtured, protected, and celebrated.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to eliminating discrimination and fostering empowerment, reinforcing the goals of Mission Shakti and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
This was stated in a press release issued by the Regional Office of Information & Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone, Silchar, Assam.
