Safe Childhood Campaign Raises Awareness Among Students in 78 Kangra Schools

Programmes Focus on Child Rights, Personal Safety, Online Safety and POCSO Act

Dharamshala, November 2: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kangra, based in Dharamshala, conducted extensive awareness activities in schools across the district under the ‘Safe Childhood Campaign’ launched by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). The campaign focused on child rights, personal safety, online safety and the provisions of the POCSO Act, 2012.

The campaign was conducted from October 27 to 31, 2026, covering six themes: ‘My Childhood, My Right’, ‘Know the Law, Protect Childhood’, ‘Safe Child, Safe Childhood’, ‘Speak Up, Inform, Protect’, ‘No Child Marriage, No Child Abuse’ and ‘Aware Childhood, Empowered India’.

DLSA Kangra Secretary R. Mihul Sharma said the authority directly covered 13 schools, while the Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committees conducted awareness programmes in 65 schools. This brought the campaign to a total of 78 schools across the district.

Judicial officers, panel advocates, police representatives, members of the Child Welfare Committee and Juvenile Justice Board, the District Child Protection Officer, para-legal volunteers, school officials and teachers, support persons appointed under the POCSO Act, and representatives of Jagori Charitable Trust, Dharamshala, participated as resource persons.

Students were informed about child rights, recognising safe and unsafe behaviour, preventing child sexual abuse, legal provisions under the POCSO Act and available channels for seeking assistance.

Awareness marches and rallies were also organised in schools. To encourage active student participation, competitions in painting, quizzes, dance and singing were held. These activities aimed to promote awareness about children’s rights, personal safety and child protection through creative and interactive methods.

Sharma said the campaign aimed to educate children about their rights, encourage them to speak up against exploitation and abuse, and develop greater sensitivity towards child protection among schools and the wider community.

He appreciated the contribution of judicial officers, government departments, organisations, school administrations, teachers and all other participants in making the campaign successful.