The age limit in the definition of children must be increased to 18 uniformly throughout the nation for all purposes, including in the Right to Education (RTI) Act and this will be brought to notice in the Parliament", said Madurai MP S Venkatesan during the inaugural function of 'Negizhchi', an annual program conducted in the Lady Doak College (LDC).
The Department of Social Sciences of LDC has been conducting the program each year under several different themes. This year's theme was 'Accham Thavir' (End Violence Against Women and Children). The college's principal Christianna Singh said that Accham Thavir was a 'celebration to get rid of fear'.
Speaking at the program, Devaneyan Arasu, Director of Thozhamai, said, "According to National Crime Record Bureau, one woman face sexual offense every 15 minutes and 139 children face the same per day in India. We should be aware of the procedure to approach the concerned officials, if and when the situation arises." He also asked the MP to speak about bringing uniform age limit for children and introducing a course on 'Gender Justice and Gender Equality' in all classes.
"Healthy conversation and stringent action are two of the important ways to reduce the increasing number of crimes against women and children", said MP S Venkatesan. He also said that the crimes against women have increased by approximately 250 folds in the last six years. With the ever-evolving technology, we as a human civilisation are moving backward. Further, Veerammal (79), panchayat president of Arithapatti and Muniammal, who won over a margin of 500 votes in T Pudhupatti panchayat were honoured. Also, four children - Rajalakshmi, Jeyaprakashm Vishali and Santhoshkumar - were honoured for their activism against child-marriage, child-labour and their other social welfare activities.
