Bhubaneswar: The child protection unit will be strengthened and its programmes will be expanded to curb trafficking in the border district of the state, said Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida while holding a review meeting of the District Child Protection Officers here, Wednesday. The meeting was held in the State Institute of Woman and Children (SIWC) under Department of Women and Child Development. On this occasion, Parida directed the department officials to pay more attention to sensitive issues like child trafficking and child begging. She said that a workshop will be organised with the participation of NGOs, voluntary organisations and individuals engaged in child protection work and a plan will be prepared to find a solution to the problem. She emphasised on the psycho-social support of the inmates of the child care institute and inter-departmental coordination.
In the meeting, Parida highlighted the development of children’s mental health expressing concerns over excessive mobile use by them. “Efforts should be made to address these sensitive issues and prevent suicide cases by early detection of children’s mental health conditions,” she said. She directed the officials to prepare a plan for special homes for intellectually disabled children in four zones of the state in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development and the Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) department. Parida also instructed the officials to give special attention to stress management and anger management of children by including healing centers and yoga programmes in children’s institutes.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP