- The first target of Bikashit odisha – elimination of child trafficking
- Officers of Various stakeholders, Chairmen of District Child Welfare Committee and District Child Protection Officers participated in the discussion.
Bhubaneswar : The Department of Women and Child Development, Odisha, in collaboration with UNICEF, hosted a State- level Stakeholder Consultation on Eliminating Child Trafficking on 29th October 2024 at the State Institute of Women and Child, Bhubaneswar. Smt. Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, joined the event as chief guest and said that child trafficking is a sensitive issue, and the State Government giving priority to all aspects of child and women trafficking.
Deputy CM also opined that it is high time to tighten the laws related to child protection and to strengthen laws to control the digital behavior of children. In view of the current situation, Mrs. Parida also advised to apply a proactive approach to dealing with the child protection issue and to conduct awareness program and issue helpline number for quick action. Added to this, Mrs. Parida called for support from all the stakeholders to join the movement to work in a mission mode to eradicate child trafficking.
To prevent heinous crime like child and women trafficking, we all must work together in partnership, opined Mrs. Shubha Sarma, Principal Secretary, Women and child Development Department. She also said that the department will make all possible efforts to prevent child trafficking. Mr. William Hanlon Jr., UNICEF State Chief, also joined the program and appreciated Odisha Government’s commitment to combat child trafficking.
The program was attended by the officials of various concerned department of Odisha Government, Chairman of various district child welfare committees, district child protection officers, project coordinator of Child Helpline Number and the members of major non-government organizations of the state related to child protection. Kharagpur railway protection officer and the State Police Officers also took part in the discussion. On this occasion, a detailed discussion was conducted on the causes and prevention of child trafficking and gave stress on the approach of 4P (prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership). On this program, Mrs Monisha Banerjee, Director, WCD delivered the welcome address and Sambit Kumar Nayak. Additional Secy, WCD proposed a vote of thanks.
