Govt to set up new home for pregnant teens

AMBIKA PANDIT NOVEMBER 22, 2010 IN THE TIMES OF INDIA

Waking up to the need for dedicated space and special care for pregnant minor girls, the women and child welfare department has notified a dormitory at the short-stay home in Nirmal Chhaya for would-bemothers in an advanced stage of pregancy.

As many as six minors in an advanced stage of preganancy will be shifted to a dormitory freshly notified as Children’s Home IV in the Nirmal Chhaya complex at Hari Nagar.

Senior officials at the home said the girls are in the age group of 14 to 17 years. They are either victims of rape or incest. A majority of them have been dumped by their boyfriends. The officials said the need for a separate space was felt as other children in the home would get curious about the pregnant inmates. The sight of the girls in labour traumatised the other children, he said.

“For now, girls who will complete the seven month of preganancy will be shifted to the dormitory. Two weeks after child birth, they will be shifted back to the children’s home. The baby will be put under the care of the nursery and the mother will be able to murse the child. Later, if the need is felt we may ask the government to create a separate annexe for such cases,” CWC chairperson Neera Mullick said.

In the Nirmal Chayya complex, there are at least six cases of girls in advanced stage of pregnancy and one girl has delivered last week. The Asha Kiran home for the mentallychallenged at Avantika in Rohini, too, has a teenager, around 15 years, who is pregnant. She is likely to be shifted to this new dormitory.

“The notification by the government is a recognition of the need for specialised care for minors preparing to deliver a child,” said RishiKant from the NGO, Shakti Vahini, which works against trafficking of girls across the country.

“Trafficking of minor girls is rising and we are seeing more cases of minors who are victims of abuse. Many of them are as young as 11-13 years. They don’t even understand the meaning of pregnancy and what it means to deliver a child,” he said.

 

Source:  Govt to set up new home for pregnant teens – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Govt-to-set-up-new-home-for-pregnant-teens/articleshow/6967656.cms#ixzz165w87LCQ

Related Articles

• Rise in trafficking of children in northeast (topinews.com)

Don’t call women, elderly to police stations, cops told

THE TRIBUNE Gurgaon, November 9

CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN - GURGAON

THE TRIBUNE

Haryana ADGP-cum-Gurgaon Police Commissioner Surjeet Singh Deswal has directed the police officials not to call any senior citizen or woman to the police station, even if they are accused, witness or complainant in a case. Speaking at the launch of “Childline se Dosti” campaign at his office here today, Deswal advised the station house officers (SHOs) to ensure that their subordinates behaved in a courteous manner with the elderly and women. The Police Commissioner maintained that the statement of a woman should be recorded only by a woman police official.

Referring to cases of child abuse, Deswal pointed out that the Gurgaon police had adopted a “zero-tolerance” approach towards cases of child abuse, which meant that no person involved in child abuse would be spared. He appealed to the affected children, their parents and the school authorities to report the cases of child abuse instead of suppressing these.

“Such cases can be reported on police control room numbers 100 and 0124-2316100 or on woman and child helpline number 0124- 2335100. Joint Commissioner of Police Alok Mittal, DCP (west) Maheshwar Dayal, DCP (traffic) Bharti Arora, DCP (crime) Anil Dhawan, DCP (headquarters) Kulwinder Singh, DCP (south) Pala Ram, besides ACPs and SHOs were also present at the inaugural programme, which was organised by two NGOs – Childline and Shakti Vahini.

Nishi Kant from Childline said the campaign would continue till November 14. The rescued children kept at “Arushi Home” tied friendship bands on the wrists of the police officers and the Police Commissioner gave them presents.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101110/haryana.htm#5

55 kids go missing in 11 months in Gurgaon

TIMES OF INDIA

GURGAON: In an alarming revelation, the Gurgaon police admitted that at least five children go missing from the city every month. While launching acampaign Child se Dosti on Tuesday, the city police commissioner, S S Deswal, admitted to this disturbing fact. He also added that while 55 children went missing in the past 11 months, 34 of them have been traced and reunited with families. Commenting on the missing kids, Deswal said, The families of the 13 missing children have shifted from Gurgaon so the job of tracing them have become difficult. But we are on the job.

THE GURGAON POLICE ON THE OCASSION OF CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN

The commissioner also said that they are going to be sensitive when it comes to issues related to women and children. Speaking to reporters, the police commissioner said he has directed all officers not to call any senior citizen or woman to any police station for questioning irrespective of the fact that they are accused, witnesses or complainants.

He also directed all police officers to ensure that statements of women should be recorded only by a lady police personnel. There are considerable number of female cops and we are hopeful of deploying them at police stations in near future, Deswal said. Referring to cases of child abuse, Deswal said they have already declared zero tolerance for child abuse and advised that children, their parents or schools should report such cases instead of suppressing them.

Read more: 55 kids go missing in 11 months in Gurgaon – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/55-kids-go-missing-in-11-months-in-Gurgaon/articleshow/6897771.cms#ixzz14qfIbe77

CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN – CHILDREN TYING THE DOSTI BAND TO THE GURGAON POLICE COMMISSIONER

'Victims won't go to police station'

HINDUSTAN TIMES

Taking their ‘zero tolerance policy‘ towards cases of child abuse a step further, the Gurgaon police have decided that children would not be called or taken to the police station for initial questioning or investigation. The police have also included women and senior citizens in this category.

Gurgaon police commissioner SS Deswal said police officials would instead visit the homes for verification and other investigation related matter.The police have also tied up with NGO Shakti Vahini to organise a one-week training programme to sensitise its force at 23 police stations. The police force would be trained about how to deal with abused children and their parents.

“Children are the vulnerable section of our society and we should do whatever we can to help our society grow as a healthy society,” he added. Two cases of child abuse were recently reported from two upscale schools in the city. The police also launched a helpline to prevent or reach out to help the victim in child abuse cases.

“Any child, his/her parents or schools should report cases of child abuse instead of suppressing them. Such cases can be reported on the helpline number 1098 or the Police Control Room number 100 and 0124- 2316100 or the Woman and Child Helpline number 0124- 2335100,” Deswal said. Nishi Kant from the Shakti Vahini Foundation, who will be heading the programme, said, “Our team of counsellors will visit all the 23 police stations and co-ordinate and sensitise the officers as to how to behave with the parents and children in case of child abuse.”

The commissioners added, “Any senior citizen or woman shall not be called into the police station. The statement of the woman should be recorded by a woman police officer.”

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Victims-won-t-go-to-police-station/Article1-624171.aspx

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• Child protection: Should social services be scraped? (politics.ie)
• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse, Neglect, & Emotional Abuse (child-abuse.suite101.com)
• Child Abuse (socyberty.com)
• Child abuse reviews still patchy (bbc.co.uk)

CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN – GURGAON CHILDLINE AND SHAKTI VAHINI

 

CAMPAIGN WITH GURGAON POLICE ON THE OCASSION OF CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN

 

SHRI SS DESWAL COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ADDRESSING THE GURGAON POLICE ON THE OCASSION OF CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN

 

NISHI KANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHAKTI VAHINI ADDRESSING THE GURGAON POLICE ON THE OCASSION OF CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN

 

CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN – GURGAON CHILDLINE / GURGAON POLICE AND SHAKTI VAHINI

SHRI SS DESWAL COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ADDRESSING THE GURGAON POLICE ON THE OCASSION OF CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN

TYING THE DOSTI BAND TO ALL SHO OF GURGAON POLICE - CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN

TYING THE DOSTI BAND TO ALL SHO OF GURGAON POLICE - CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN

THE GURGAON POLICE ON THE OCASSION OF CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN

THE GURGAON POLICE ON THE OCASSION OF CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN

Honour Killings – Punjab to protect runaway couples

Revised norms include jail for parents who threaten couples
Aditi Tandon  / Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 3 The Tribune , Chandigarh

HONOUR KILLINGS IN INDIA

Runaway couples facing the threat of honour killing in Punjab are now entitled to state protection for six weeks from the date of their marriage. During this period, their lodging and boarding would also be the responsibility of the state. Couples apprehending trouble from their immediate or extended family have to simply make an application for protection in the court of the District Registrar, who now stands empowered to order adequate security deployment in such case.

These commitments have been made in Punjab Government’s revised guidelines to check cases of honour crimes. These guidelines form part of the affidavit filed the state recently filed in the Supreme Court which had earlier this year pulled up nine governments for failing to check violent honour killings, besides asking them what steps they were taking to ensure people’s right to life and property.

Rajasthan was the first to reply to the Apex Court in the matter, followed by the Punjab government which, in the affidavit, has committed itself to “eliminating all forms of honour killings.”

Strangely though the state – which is home to 50 per cent of all honour crime cases reported in India the past two years – mentions that such cases were “stray incidents and it had left no stone unturned in taking protective, corrective and pre-emptive measures to discourage these crimes”.

That apart, the important point Punjab has made in its admission to the Supreme Court relates to its non-tolerance of the heinous crime which involves alleged killing of women and men in love by their family members. The state’s freshly issued revised guidelines to deal with these cases mandate strict action against parents and family members who threaten couples who have inter-caste and love marriages; protection for newly-wed couples who apprehend danger to their life and liberty and even “counseling for the people to broaden their horizons and outlook in this matter.”

The state argues that honour killings can’t be eliminated unless mindsets change. “The root of the issue is being attended to by the Government,” the affidavit states. For their part, the revised guidelines, issued by Punjab Home Secretary, categorically order the setting up of mediation and counseling centres in the offices of police commissioners or SSPs to guide parents, relatives and couples to “live in peace”.

The guidelines also mandate special cells in village panchayats and cities to counsel resisting parents to reconcile with “such love forms and tell them that love does not harm family honour at all”. The affidavit, whose copy the Tribune has secured, further warns police officials against booking young boys who have married on their own in false cases of rape and kidnapping. “False cases should not be registered at the behest of parents etc under Sections 363/366/376 IPC against such couples who are majors. The tendency of relatives to separate couples should also be dealt with strictly,” says the state government order issued to all deputy commissioners, police commissioners and SSPs.

Apex court took the lead

In April, the Supreme Court had taken cognisance of the growing menace of honour killings, brought to light in a PIL filed by civil society organisation Shakti Vahini. The PIL documented the increasing number of killings of youngsters involved in inter-caste marriages. The SC then issued notices to nine states, including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, UP, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi to report what efforts they were making to curb the menace. Only Rajasthan and Punjab have filed their affidavits so far.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101104/nation.htm#5

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• States given two weeks to act on illegal religious structures (topinews.com)
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• Cops involved in barbaric acts threat to society: apex court (topinews.com)
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CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN – GURGAON CHILDLINE

CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN

 

CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN

CHILDLINE – 1098

A phone number that spells hope for millions of children across India, CHILDLINE is India’s first 24-hour, free, emergency phone service for children in need of aid and assistance. Whether you are a concerned adult or a child, you can dial 1098, the toll free number to access our services. We not only respond to the emergency needs of children but also link them to services for their long-term care and rehabilitation. We have, to date, reached out to over three million children across the nation through such calls. CHILDLINE is a platform bringing together the Ministry for Women & Child Development, Government of India, Department of Telecommunications, street and community youth, non-profit organisations, academic institutions, the corporate sector and concerned individuals. We work for the protection of the rights of all children in general. But our special focus is on all children in need of care and protection, especially the more vulnerable sections, which include:

• Street children and youth living alone on the streets
• Child labourers working in the unorganised and organized sectors
• Domestic help, especially girl domestics
• Children affected by physical / sexual / emotional abuse in family, schools or institutions.
• Children who need emotional support and guidance
• Children of commercial sex workers
• Child victims of the flesh trade
• Victims of child trafficking
• Children abandoned by parents or guardians
• Missing children
• Run away children
• Children who are victims of substance abuse
• Differently-abled children
• Children in conflict with the law
• Children whose families are in crises

The Vision that Moulded CHILDLINE

A child – friendly nation that guarantees the rights and protection of all children

CHILDLINE GURGAON

CHILDLINE in Gurgaon was started in 2006 in collaboration with Shakti Vahini a National Level organization which focuses on Child Rights , Crimes Against Women , Human Rights , Anti Trafficking , Health Issues , Legal Aid and Social Research.

DRAWING/POSTER COMPETITION

Childline 1098 along with all partners across the country is all set to celebrate one of the most significant days in the life of a child- Children’s Day on 14th November, 2010. Beginning on the 8th of November, 2010, this week long awareness campaign – Childline se Dosti aims to make a million dosts. This campaign will draw in people from different walks of life to come together and be Childline Dosts.  CHILDLINE GURGAON in collaboration with Shakti Vahini is organising a Drawing and Poster Competition in which children of all schools in Gurgaon can Participate. The Categories are:

1	Category 1	Size A3	Children of class II to IV.
2	Category 2	Size A3	Children of class V to VII.
3	Category 3	Size A3	Children of class VIII to X.

Theme: Child Labour/Child Rights/ Child Protection / Child Abuse / Neglected Children/ Missing Children / Child Trafficking / Street Children

Prizes : For each Category there will be Prizes and Certificates  for the First , Second and Third best entries. For each category there will be ten consolation prizes.

All participants will be provided – CHILDLINE SE DOSTI CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATE.

All entries will be collected by Schools .Last Date of Entry 10th November

We appeal to all Children to actively participate in this campaign . By participating in this campaign you will show your commitment to child rights and millions of children across the country who are in need of Care and Protection. You can also be a Volunteer of Gurgaon Childline.

SHAKTI VAHINI

CHILDLINE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To become a volunteer of CHILDLINE GURGAON join us  at FACEBOOK :

CHILDLINE GURGAON GROUP

For more information on CHILDLINE and its activities

CHILDLINE : http://www.childlineindia.org.in

SHAKTI VAHINI : www.shaktivahini.org

NEWS AT SHAKTI VAHINI:  www.shaktivahini.wordpress.com/

FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR RASHI ADITI GHOSH  AT : 09582909032