Bilaspur Legal Services Authority Holds Student Awareness Programme on Child Rights and Safety

Under the ‘Surakshit Bachpan Abhiyan’ or ‘Safe Childhood Campaign’, the District Legal Services Authority, Bilaspur, organised an awareness programme for students at Government Senior Secondary School Bilaspur on 30 October. The programme focused on children’s rights, their safety and protection, and the legal provisions related to preventing child exploitation and other offences.

The campaign is being conducted from 26 to 31 October, 2026, in accordance with the directions of the National Legal Services Authority and the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Shimla.

District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairperson, District Legal Services Authority, Bilaspur, Jyotsna Sumant Dadhwal, attended the programme. Addressing the students, she said that every child has the right to equal opportunities for education and all-round development in a safe and fear-free environment.

She said that protecting children’s rights and ensuring their safe future is the collective responsibility of society. She encouraged the students to raise their voice against any form of exploitation, harassment or abuse. She also urged them to seek help from the concerned authorities whenever required.

During the programme, the students were given detailed information about various legal provisions related to child protection. The session covered the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, laws related to the prohibition of child and adolescent labour, and legal aspects connected with exploitation and other offences against children.

The students were also informed about their legal rights, safety measures and the process for obtaining free legal aid. The programme explained how children can seek support when they face exploitation, abuse or other forms of harm.

The participants were told that protecting children’s rights is not the responsibility of the administration and law enforcement agencies alone. Parents, teachers and every member of society also have an important role in this effort.

It was emphasised that all stakeholders must work together to ensure a safe, positive and child-friendly environment for children. The awareness programme linked information about legal protection with the need to create conditions in which children can continue their education and pursue their all-round development without fear.

Additional District and Sessions Judge, Bilaspur, Navish Bhardwaj, and Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Bilaspur, and Senior Civil Judge-cum-Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Prateek Gupta, were also present at the programme.