NHRC’s outreach in southern India to train trainers for expanding human rights awareness

Press Release

National Human Rights Commission, India

New Delhi: 13th September 2024

NHRC’s outreach in southern India to train trainers for expanding human rights awareness

Concludes successfully a three-day training of trainers programme in collaboration with Dr. MCR Human Resource Development Institute of Telangana

Police personnel, representatives from the Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Departments attended the programme addressed by eminent experts on various aspects of human rights

Dr. Shashank Goel, Director General and Special Chief Secretary, Telangana in the valedictory session highlighted the need for collective responsibility in protecting the human rights of vulnerable groups

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has been making concerted efforts to expand its outreach to build human rights awareness in various parts of the country. The Commission organized a three-day training of trainers programme on human rights for about 50 officers including police personnel and representatives from the Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Departments of Telangana from 9th to 11th September, 2024. It was held in collaboration with the Centre for Law and Public Administration at Dr. MCR Human Resource Development Institute of Telangana. It aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge to further promote human rights advocacy in their respective domains.

The programme brought together experts from academia, law enforcement, and the judiciary. Addressing the valedictory session, Dr. Shashank Goel, Director General and Special Chief Secretary of the Government of Telangana, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in protecting human rights, especially for vulnerable groups. He commended the participants for their dedication and also acknowledged the NHRC's efforts in organizing such training programmes.

The training sessions covered various aspects of human rights, including among others, constitutional provisions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, national and international mechanisms for the protection of human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, and the rights of other vulnerable groups. The programme also included discussions on the functioning of the NHRC and various State Human Rights Commissions.

The day one session included an overview of the course, constitutional provisions on human rights, followed by interactive sessions by Professor A. S. Ramachandra, Professor (Retd.), Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LABASNA). This was followed by sessions focussing on women's rights, with a presentation by Shri Srinivas Madhav, Consultant at MCR HRD Institute. He discussed women’s rights under the Constitution and international law. Later, Shri Umapathy, IPS, led a session addressing critical women's issues, including trafficking, domestic violence, and female foeticide.

On day two, Shri Damodhar, IPS (Retd.) gave an overview of human rights institutions in India and the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Shri Srinivas Madhav focused on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, and the rights of persons with disabilities and transgender. This was followed by discussions on female foeticide, the Persons with Disabilities Act, and the Protection of Human Rights Act.

On day three, Smt. G. Jhansi Rani, Course Coordinator, Dr. MCR Human Resource Development Institute took a session on Active Bystander Intervention and the importance of intervening in cases of human rights violations. Dr. Madhavi Ravulapati, Senior Faculty & Head - Centre for Public Administration (CPA), Dr. MCR HRD IT, spoke about sexual harassment in the workplace, and the mechanisms available for addressing complaints.

The training of trainers programme represents a significant step in advancing human rights promotion and advocacy in the southern region, reflecting the NHRC’s steadfast commitment to fostering respect and understanding of human rights. The NHRC continues to work with renewed vigour in collaboration with central and state governments, their parastatal organizations, academic institutions, NGOs, and human rights defenders to protect and promote the human rights of all. The Commission remains dedicated to ensuring individual dignity and respect, advancing the cause of human rights as an essential pillar of a just and equitable society.

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