PAMPORE: The Department of Social Welfare in Pulwama orchestrated a significant awareness and capacity-building program at Townhall Tral on Tuesday as part of Mission Vatsayla. The event, which aimed to raise awareness and empower children in conflict with the law or in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act 2015, was attended by various stakeholders.
Sajjid Naqash, Additional Deputy Commissioner Tral, graced the event as the chief guest, accompanied by dignitaries such as Azhar Amin, District Social Welfare Officer Pulwama, Arshid Rahim, Chairperson Child Welfare Committee Pulwama, and Mansha Ahad, District Mission Coordinator, among others.
The collaborative effort between the Social Welfare Department Pulwama and Mission Vatsayla Pulwama brought together police officials, representatives from the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (Mission Shakti), Asha workers, anganwadi workers, supervisors from Mission Poshan Tral, DLSA, officials from Labour, and staff officials from Child Care Institutes in the area.
Resource persons at the event discussed the critical need for child protection, emphasizing that although existing structures address the issue, a significant number of people remain unaware. The speakers highlighted which children require protection and stressed the importance of reporting such cases to the relevant Child Welfare Committee (CWC) or Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) for care and rehabilitation.
Azhar Amir, District Social Welfare Officer Pulwama, revealed that approximately 39 to 40 percent of the population in Pulwama consists of children below 18 years of age, according to the 2011 census. The rising crime rate, especially affecting vulnerable sections like women, necessitates collaboration between various stakeholders, including government and non-government agencies.
He emphasized the importance of sensitizing the community to the challenges faced by children and creating a conducive environment, which requires cooperation from various departments, including Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and other relevant entities. Azhar Amir highlighted the active role of the Social Welfare Department in overseeing the well-being of children in government-run and NGO-run homes, emphasizing the diligent performance of designated tasks by various agencies involved.

BILAL HABIB