A meeting regarding issues related to women and child development was convened by Avny Lavasa, Deputy Commissioner, Leh on July 26. 

Avny Lavasa said that there are serious issues related to child protection and women welfare in the district and the approach is not effective. She pointed out the lack of coordination among different agencies working in this field. 

Inquiring about the status of School Safety Audit Committee she instructed JD Education to submit a consolidated report of it in a week time. She urged PO ICDS, DSWO and DPO to look for convergence possibilities to involve other agencies like CWC, JJB, LNP and OSC while carrying out awareness programmes in villages at the block level and to share their calendar on awareness camps with them.  

She urged concerned stakeholders present in the meeting to make a list of actionable measures concerning child protection and women welfare and submit it to her by July 29. 

She inquired about the works undertaken by CWC, JJB, LNP and OSC and urged them to bring the issues in the notice of administration so that collective efforts can be made to look for viable solutions. She spoke of the support for CWC through Red Cross, involvement of OSC in Beti Bachao Beti Padao and through DPO in conducting programmes in gram sabhas.

Members of CWC, JJB and LNP requested DC’s initiative in getting government sanction for establishing an observation home or shelter house for the juveniles and cradle baby centre for kids on priority. 

They informed about the serious issues of sexual harassment and substance abuse among children in our society and pressed on the need to have a mechanised system to get such crimes reported.  Also, they informed about the lack of financial support from state and requested administrative support to carry out their duty and responsibility more effectively in addressing issues which are serious in nature but in the subliminal state. 

Moses Kunzang, ADDC, Leh, Tashi Dolma, JD Education, Leh,  Kunzes Dolma, PO, ICDS, Leh, Zakir Hussain, DPO, Leh,  Program manager, Leh Nutrition Project (LNP), Chairperson Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Leh, member of Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), Leh and Councilor One Stop Centre (OSC), Leh were present.