DLSA Organises Legal Awareness Programme on Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes and Children & Women Rights

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Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 24: In pursuance of the directions of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Andaman & Nicobar Islands, organized a Legal Awareness Programme on Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes and Children & Women Rights at the Auditorium of the Anthropological Survey of India, Sri Vijaya Puram today. The programme was led by Shri Sudhir Kumar, Learned District Judge-cum-Chairman, DLSA, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Smt. Arkabrati Neogi, Learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, South Andaman-cum-Secretary, DLSA, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

During the event, participants were sensitized about the following rights and legal protections:

Rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes:

-Protection under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which prohibits discrimination, exploitation, and violence against SC/ST communities.

-Safeguards under the Constitution of India, including reservations in education and employment, and the right to participate in political processes.

-Provisions under the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation, 1956, ensuring the protection of indigenous tribes in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands from exploitation and harm, particularly in restricted areas.

Children’s Rights:

-Protection and care under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

-The right to free and compulsory education under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

-Legal safeguards against child labour and abuse under the POCSO Act, 2012.

Women’s Rights:

-Protection from domestic violence under the Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

-Provisions for equal opportunities and safeguards at the workplace under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.

-Safeguards against dowry-related harassment under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

The speakers emphasized the importance of raising awareness about these rights to empower individuals and communities. They also highlighted the role of the Legal Services Authority in providing free legal aid and ensuring justice for the marginalized and vulnerable sections of society.