Guwahati, April 6: Several NGOs and civil society organisations in Assam today launched a network to work jointly for protection of rights of children and adolescents in the state.

The Adolescent and Children's Network, Assam, led by Unicef, Assam, the North East Society for the Promotion of Youth and Masses (NESPYM), an NGO, and Snehalaya, a city-based children's home, was launched at a function here. It was formed after yearlong consultations in Guwahati, Tezpur, Kokrajhar and Jorhat.

"Several organisations work for children and adolescents and we felt the need of having a network of civil society organisations, individuals, media and other stakeholders for advocacy and intervention in matters related to the protection and welfare of children and adolescents in our state. The network will monitor the implementation of Right to Education Act, healthcare facilities, registration of birth, immunisation, trafficking, sexual abuse and vocational education, besides other issues," NESPYM director Chiranjeeb Kakoty said at the function.

Adolescents' and Children's Agenda in Assam, a document prepared by children with recommendations to the government to address the issues concerning them, was also released at the function. The agenda, said to be the first such document in the country, focused on health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, education and protection of children and adolescents. It also called for focus on vulnerable children in tea gardens, sars (sand bars), minority communities, those impacted by natural disaster and civil strife and participation of children and adolescents in the decision-making process.

Tushar Rane, chief of Unicef field office, Assam, said the network could play a significant role as Assam reported maximum maternal mortality rate and second highest infant mortality rate, which have been identified as two major concerns in the state.

Although providing a protective environment to children and adolescents is primarily the responsibility of the government, civil society could play a critical role in creating awareness, mobilising public opinion on key issues and putting pressure on functionaries to deliver. Runumi Gogoi, chairperson (in-charge), Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said several children are still deprived of education, healthcare and sanitation and are increasingly becoming trafficking and sexual violence victims.