MAWKYRWAT:
In observance of National Girl Child Day, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat, conducted an awareness programme on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act-2012 and Early Marriage at Photjaud Village, South West Khasi Hills District on January 29. The event saw participation from school students, members of the VO, and village representatives.
National Girl Child Day serves as an annual platform to spotlight girls’ rights and bring attention to the disparities they encounter in their lives.
S. M. Wanniang, Judicial Magistrate, First Class, South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat, shared in her address that the POCSO Act, 2012 safeguards children under 18 years from offences like sexual harassment, assault, and child pornography. Underscoring its gender-neutral nature, she pointed out that the act protects victims of any gender and encompasses crimes committed by individuals of any gender.
The Judicial Magistrate highlighted the act’s provisions, provided insights into related cases, and outlined penalties for offenders. Addressing the prevalent issue of child sexual abuse within households, she urged the gathering to report any POCSO-related incidents to the authorities, even if the perpetrator is a family member. She also discussed aspects like the age of consent, confidentiality of the victim’s identity in POCSO cases, and the procedure for recording the victim’s statement.
Shifting to the topic of early child marriage, Wanniang stated that the legal age for marriage is 21 years for boys and 18 years for girls. Marriages below this age are deemed illegal and punishable. She stressed the adverse consequences of early marriage, including impacts on health, increased risk of domestic violence, higher likelihood of school dropouts, and economic challenges.