The State Level Stakeholders’ Consultation on “Effective Implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and the POCSO Act, 2012 with Specific Focus on Safeguarding the Girl Child: Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in Uttar Pradesh” under the aegis of Hon’ble High Court Juvenile Justice Committee in collaboration with UNICEF, Lucknow was organized at JTRI, U.P., Lucknow on 07th September 2025, in which all the District Judges of Uttar Pradesh, POCSO Judges and Principal Magistrates, JJB of 31 districts and other stakeholders, including children from Child Care Institutions participated.
The inaugural session of the Consultation was held on 7th September 2025 from 09.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. in the Nalanda Auditorium of JTRI. The programme was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Bhansali, Chief Justice, Allahabad High Court in the august presence of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rajan Roy, Sr. Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ajay Bhanot, Judge, Allahabad High Court & Chairman, High Court Juvenile Justice Committee. Smt. Leena Johri, IAS, Principal Secretary, DWCD, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow and Dr. Zakari Adam, Chief, Field Office, UNICEF were also present on the dais.
The Chief Guest of the Consultation, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Bhansali, Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court commenced his address with poignant lines of Mahatma Gandhi, “If we are to reach real peace in this world, we shall have to begin with the children.” His Lordship emphasized that protecting the girl child is not a matter of benevolence; it is the only path towards a truly just and progressive society. Reflecting on various advancements in the law and government initiatives for the upliftment of women, His Lordship highlighted the significance of this consultation as it brought all stakeholders under one roof.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rajan Roy, Senior Judge, Allahabad High Court at Lucknow impressed that stagnant social attitude is the root cause of the ills prevalent against the girl child. His Lordship, thus, stated that imparting lessons on moral values is of utmost importance in today’s day and age. His Lordship emphasized on the need to maintain a balance between individual liberty and social obligations. Furthermore, His Lordship stressed that law by itself is not sufficient if the enforcement thereof is weak and social mindset does not change, and we have to set an example by our own conduct.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ajay Bhanot, Judge, Allahabad High Court and Chairman, Hon’ble High Court Juvenile Justice Committee highlighted the significance of the consultation and its far-reaching impact on transformation of the lives of children. His Lordship expressed his satisfaction over the change in momentum and the shift in governance for child rights. His Lordship stressed about the new facet of pedagogy for children’s education, devised with the assistance of TISS, which integrates education with child development. As per his Lordship, this positive approach manifests in reality the proverb: “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”
Smt. Leena Johri, IAS, Principal Secretary, DWCD, Government of Uttar Pradesh highlighted the significance of the State Level Consultation. She stated that the Government is fully committed to this cause and to ensure the care and protection of the girl child and that various initiatives are being taken by the State Government including schemes like Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti.
Dr. Zakari Adam, Chief, Field Office, UNICEF in his address hailed this consultation as a participatory process to deliberate on key issues and to strive to build coordination among various stakeholders. Steps in this direction include identification of risks, creation of child friendly procedures and establishment of accountability.
A visual “Nayi Rahein, Naye Sapne” showcasing the story of development in the child care institutions by incorporation of yoga classes, computer classes, meditation, gardening, outdoor activities, music, art, theatre and development of other soft skills was shared with the audience.
This consultation served as the platform for the launch of key initiatives such as release of second edition of UDAAN, website of the Juvenile Justice Committee, inauguration of 52 Libraries at different child care institutions across 32 Districts of the state. The Department of Women and Child Development, U.P. entered into MoUs with Lucknow University, Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Lucknow and Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur. Kanpur University has already initiated development of pedagogy and is actively engaging with child care institutions through psychological profiling, group activities and skill development, thereby fostering reintegration of the children in society.
Sri Divesh Chandra Samant, Director, JTRI welcomed the Hon’ble Chief Guest and other Dignitaries while also highlighting the significance and importance of the subject under discussion.
Sri Mayank Tripathi, Registrar (Digitization), Allahabad High Court at Lucknow delivered the Vote of Thanks.
