Safe Childhood Campaign Launched in Himachal’s Bilaspur to Raise Child Protection Awareness

The Safe Childhood Campaign has been launched in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh to create awareness among children about legal assistance and child protection services. The campaign will be conducted from 26 to 31 October 2026 under the directions of the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority.

Prateek Gupta, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Bilaspur, said the campaign had been started in the district as part of the directions issued by the state authority. He said awareness camps were organised on 27 October at three schools in the district: Government Senior Secondary School, Jakatkhana; Government Senior Secondary School, Chandpur; and Government Senior Secondary School, Dangar.

The camps were held on 27 October because schools remained closed on 26 October on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti. The campaign has been planned to make children aware of their rights, personal safety and the prevention of child abuse and other forms of exploitation.

The campaign is being organised under the theme “Awareness, Safety and Protection, Every Child’s Right”. Special attention will be given to different aspects related to the safety and protection of children.

Students will be made aware through six sub-themes. These include “My Childhood, My Right”, “Know the Law, Save Childhood”, “Safe Click, Safe Childhood”, “Speak, Tell, Save”, “No Child Marriage, No Child Abuse” and “Aware Childhood, Empowered India”.

Awareness sessions will be conducted at the camps by judicial officers and designated resource persons. Students will be informed about child rights and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, also known as the POCSO Act.

The sessions will also cover the safe use of the internet and ways to protect themselves from online crimes. Students will be told about the process for reporting incidents of exploitation and the steps that can be taken to seek help.

Information will also be provided on the prevention of child marriage and child abuse. The students will be informed about the legal assistance and child protection services available to them.

Prateek Gupta said children would also be given information about helpline numbers that they can use when they need assistance. These include the Child Helpline number 1098, the NALSA Legal Aid Helpline number 15100 and the Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930.

The campaign aims to create a safe environment for children with the participation of schools, families and society. It also seeks to make children aware of their rights and empower them to seek protection and assistance when required.