Chandigarh, 29 August: The Baal Saarthi Club and Women Development Cell of Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women organised a workshop titled ‘Nirbhaya’ on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The workshop was designed to empower girl students to play an active role in safeguarding children against sexual offences.
Ms. Purnima Bhardwaj, Range Coordinator, Women Help Desk, Punjab Police, served as the resource person for the session. In her insightful address, she highlighted the key provisions of the POCSO Act, its practical implementation, and its intersection with cybercrimes. She particularly emphasised the significance of online safety and digital awareness in today’s context. Through the discussion of real-life case examples, participants gained a nuanced understanding of various offences under the Act, including sexual assault and aggravated penetrative sexual assault. The interactive session enabled students to develop both legal awareness and sensitivity towards the complexities of such crimes.
Officiating Principal Ms. Neena Sharma, commended the initiative, underscoring the institution’s commitment to sensitising young women on issues of child safety and legal rights.