Agra, April 2, 2024: Metro & Metro Agra’s philanthropic initiative Umeed Foundation has launched a programme to promote awareness about children's rights and educate youths on POCSO Act.
Following the resounding success of its 2023 workshop in Agra, Umeed Foundation has announced its continued commitment towards empowering Young Minds Initiative to educate and empower youth by expanding its sessions beyond Agra into neighboring districts.
"Education and awareness are key in combating child sexual abuse, and our goal is to ensure that young people are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to stay safe and protected. We are thrilled to expand our efforts beyond Agra and into neighboring districts,” said Vanshika Kalsi, Co-founder at Umeed Foundation.
The Empowering Young Minds Initiative, a grassroots organization dedicated to advocating for children's rights and promoting awareness of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, held a transformative workshop in 2023. The workshop focused on educating participants, primarily students from public schools in Agra, about the vital provisions of the POCSO Act and the procedures for reporting cases of sexual offenses against children.
Led by a team of dedicated lawyers specially onboarded for the initiative, the workshop provided in-depth analysis and comprehensive explanations of the POCSO Act, leaving a lasting positive impact on over 140 students who participated.
POCSO was enacted to provide a robust legal framework for the protection of children from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography, while safeguarding the interest of the child at every stage of the judicial process. The framing of the Act seeks to put children first by making it easy to use by including mechanisms for child-friendly reporting, recording of evidence, investigation and speedy trial of offences through designated Special Courts.
Building on the success of the workshop in Agra, the Empowering Young Minds Initiative is now expanding its reach to neighboring districts in 2024. The initiative aims to continue spreading awareness, advocating for children's rights, and contributing to the creation of a brighter future for the youth in communities beyond Agra.
The Empowering Young Minds Initiative of Umeed Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to empower youth, protect children's rights, and create safer communities for all. By extending its sessions to more regions, the initiative hopes to make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of even more young people.
UMEED is a philanthropic initiative of Metro & Metro Agra. Its main area of intervention is education, health care, and women empowerment. It aims to uplift communities by providing access to quality education, essential healthcare services, and opportunities for women to thrive. By addressing these key areas, UMEED strives to create sustainable positive change and contribute to the holistic development of society in Agra and beyond.
