SHILLONG, Aug 13: Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya, Justice S. Vaidyanathan, has called for concerted efforts to combat various challenges faced by children with special needs and advocated support for their dignity, rights and well-being.
Addressing a one-day state-level consultation programme on Protection of Children with Disabilities here on Tuesday, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding the basic human rights of specially-abled individuals through targeted programs and policies.
The chief justice also emphasised that over one billion people globally live with some form of disability, with nearly 240 million being children.
Hoping that the consultation would generate valuable insights to address the inequalities and barriers faced by persons with special abilities, Justice Vaidyanathan called for increased joint efforts to combat the challenges faced by children with special needs, including social stigma and discrimination, and stressed the need to promote awareness and mobilise support for their dignity, rights and well-being.
It may be mentioned that the programme was organised jointly by the Juvenile Justice Committee of the High Court of Meghalaya, Department of Social Welfare, Directorate of School Education & Literacy, the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, and the Community & Rural Development Department.
Justice HS Thangkhiew of the High Court of Meghalaya, who is also the Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of fostering an inclusive mindset.
He discussed the legal framework and benefits provided under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.
Others who were part of the programme include Principal Secretary to the Social Welfare Department, Sampath Kumar, Directorate of School Education & Literacy Director, Swapnil Tembe, Executive Director of Bethany Society, Shillong, Bertha Dkhar, and officials from various departments.
