State Level Consultation on 'How to prevent Child Marriages' by Tharuni & TSWC on 16-12-2017

Tharuni , Under  Girls Advocacy Alliance Project of Netherlands, organised a State Level Consultation ,in collaboration with State Women Commission on 'How to prevent Child Marriages', at Hyderabad. on 16-12-2017.
Acting Chief Justice Honble. Sri Justice Ramesh Ranganathan, District Legal Services Authority Chairman,Hon'ble Sri  Justice Rama Subramanian stated that every marriage must be compulsorily registered.It deters Child marriages in the State.They said that child marriages can be stopped if there is awareness among the Public about its disadvantages.
Dr. Thripurana Venkata Venkata Rathnam , Chair Person of Telangana State Women Commission , asserted that the combating Child Marriages is a social responsibility.
Department of Women &  Child Welfare, Director  will be given powers to register marriages, said Sri Jagadeeswar, Secretary of the Department..An online web portal will be started very soon, he further stated.
Smt. Sikha Goel, I.P. S. said that Police Department is very alert against the child marriages . Dr. Mamatha Raghuveer, Founder, Tharuni said that Tharuni is fighting against this evil from its inception in the year 2000 and still this problem persists in some districts of Telangana.The loopholes in the 2006 enactment have to be corrected to stop Child marriages totally, she stated..
DLSA Judges CDPOs and Lawyers, and NGOs, Tharuni Team attended the Meeting.Wall Posters against Child Marriages were released.

Tharuni held Child Protection Committees Meeting at Gangadevipalli, under SRHR Project on 24th November 2016

Tharuni , under SRHR Project of Terres De Hommes, Netherlands, held a Meeting for the Child Protection Committees Members on 24th at Gangadevipalli,Geesukonda Mandal, Warangal District.

The Women Welfare  and Child Development Department and Health Department collaborated with Tharuni. Women Welfare Officer Smt. Sabitha stated that the Anganwadi Workers and Supervisors will help the adolescent girls and boys who face certain problems at that age. Dr. Mamatha Raghuveer, Founder, Tharuni explained that hundreds of Girs and Boys Groups are formed in the 15 villages and the Child Protection Committees are a part of them. The Child Groups are able to solve their problems by bringing them to the notice of Local Authorities and Non Officials, and empower themselves, with their unity and network.

The Meeting was attended by ICDS CDPOs, Mahender, Sailaja, Sarpanches of Villages,ACDPO Hemalatha, Geesukonda PHC Dr. Soujanya, MPTCs, Anganwadi Workers, ASHA Workers, SMC Members, Boys and Girls Groups Members.It could enlighten the Children to protect themselves.

Bala Panchayat Meetings by Tharuni under SRHR Project-14th to 23rd-11-2016

Tharuni conducted elections for the Balapanchayats in the 15 villages in Geesukonda and Duggondi Mandals of Warangal District recently. In the first meeting after elections the  Bala Panchayat Members brought out few issues,related to them and made a representation to the District Collector, to  solve those problems concerning them. This is an inspiring move by the children with the initiative by Tharuni.The following are their issues raised to be taken care immediately.
1 There are no sufficient Toilets for them in Schools with water facilities.
2.There are no Transport facilities to go to school on right time.They requested for Cycles to go.
3.They asked for English Medium Education even for Telugu Medium Students and Computer Education.
4.They complained that the Mid Day Meal served in Schools is not tasty and not of good quality.
5. They requested for Compound Wall for the Schools with a Gate, to be secure and safe.
6. They also wanted Hostel facility and scholarships for the vulnerable children in the schools.

Tharuni forwarded their  Resolutions as an appeal to the District collector (Rural) in Warangal, to initiate a positive action for the above.

Tharuni Work Shop for Media Reporters at Warangal under SRHR Project on 27-09-2016

Tharuni conducted Workshop for Media Reporters and Journalists from Warangal District  at Haritha Kakathiya Hotel on 27th September 2016.Dr. Mamatha Raghuveer ,Founder, 'Tharuni' explained in detail about the  Child Laws and the how the Reporters have to react and report about the Children as victims of crime, or as witnesses or involved in the crime.The Children are voiceless and innocent ,Depending on the incident the journalists always keep in mind the best interests of the child.The child should not shown in the T.V. Channels and the Print Media and the  identity of the child may be hidden,  in his/her  best interests. The child must be in the presence of his parent/ guardian, while interviewing him.Too much of questioning by different media Reporters  cause him trauma and stress.The JJ Act and other Legal proceedings must be followed by the journalists always. Otherwise they will be punished and penalised with one lakh rupees fine and six months Jail under the law.
This interface  Meeting was attended by different journalists of both Print and Electronic Media, and the Village Child Protection Committees, Leaders of Girls Groups Sirisha and Rajeswari and Geesukonda Sarpanch Rajkumar  and  the Tharuni Team Members.

Orientation Workshop on reporting on Child related issues under SRHR Project-20-09-2016

Tharuni in collaboration with St. Francis College,Hyderabad, Mass Communications Department, held  'Orientation Workshop on Reporting on child related issues for young Media Fellows' on 20th September 2016, under SRHR Project.As the Media plays a significant role in moulding public opinion, on how to protect children from atrocities, reports the incidents from time to time.But Reporting needs skill to expose the circumstances of abuse and exploitation against children.The Speakers Dr. Mamatha Raghuveer, Founder 'Tharuni',explained in detail, the legal provisions to protect the child and Dos and don'ts , while reporting child related cases.Senior Radio Journalist,
Usha Thuraga, gave an elaborate analysis of the challenges faced by the reporters, along with case studies. Dr. Hemalatha Devi Retired Prof. in Mass  communications, reiterated that the Reporters as watch dogs of Society, should always bear in mind , the best interests of the Children, as they are voiceless.Dr. Antha Kaluvoya, Head of the Department organised  the Workshop. More than seventy five   U.G. and P.G Students  actively participated in the inter active sessions.

State Level Program for Media fellows on Child Rights-SRHR Project; 19-08-2016- At Press Club

Tharuni Organised State Level Program For Media Fellows on Child Rights and Violation of SRHR and Child Abuse, at Press Club on 19-08-2016 from 2 to 5 P.M. Sri Kismath Kumar, Former Director of State  Juvenile Welfare Board was the chief Guest. He enlightened the Journalists, both Print & Electronic Media on the J J Act 2014 in a detailed manner.Dr. P. Hemalatha Devi Retd. Prof. Mass Communications & Journalism, explained on Ethical Reporting on children issues. Dr. Mamatha Raghuveer, Founder of Tharuni,presented on Child Labour act & POCSO Act.The three speakers have reiterated that the Media has to protect the best interests of Children always.If the Journalists commit any mistake in writing and exposing the Child, against its interests , they will be fined upto 2 lakhs & sentence them up to 6 months term of imprisonment, under the Act.
The Program was participated by Anitha from Center for Media Studies, Reporters of Print Media and Electronic Media. Tharuni Team Members Sathyanarayana and Ailesh Yadav  organised the Program.

Girls & Boys Groups under SRHR Project-TOT-on 13-08-2016

Tharuni Founder Member Dr. Mamatha Raghuveer took  TOT for the Balikala Sanghas(Girls groups) and Balura Sanghas (Boys groups) formulated in the 15 villages under SRHR Project at Geesukonda and Duggondi Mandals of Warangal District, on 13th August 2016. She took a four hour  Sessions for the boys and girls on the importance of Life skills and how they should have goals in life to achieve, to be successful and prosper in their lives.They were also told about the basic information on the laws on child marriages, child abuse and so on.  They were also instructed how they can fight against social evils and  sort out social problems of their villages.Nearly 55 groups were established in the 15 villages. Tharuni Team Members, and also ICPS Protection Officer Omkar participated in the sessions.

SRHR Project- TDH- Training of Trainers for Barefoot Counsellors 31-07-2016 to 2nd August.

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of Girl children is aimed at by Terres de Hommes (Netherlands), with a vision to bring 'World free from Child Exploitation'. Tharuni as a partner of TDH adopted 15 Villages in Geesukonda Mandal of Warangal District. Under the Project 10 Barefoot Counsellors and 5 paralegal volunteers were selected to go to villages and identify the problems, study , reach and counsel the vulnerable families. The Trainers  who were trained to educate and train the Barefoot Volunteers, are enlightening them from 31st July  2016 to 2nd august at Geesukonda.

Tharuni adopted 15 villages in Warangal District from April 2016, - TDH Netherlands Project

Tharuni has adopted 15 villages in Geesukonda and Duggondi Mandals of Warangal District Telangana, as a partner with TDH- Netherlands and HELP Organisation. The Project started functioning from April 2016 for Three years, to prevent 'Child Exploitation and promoting Sexual Reproductive Health Rights of Girl children. A survey was conducted in the villages and a team of employees are stream lining the activities to be done under the Project.They underwent training at Hyderabad. Tharuni Founder Member Dr. Mamatha Raghuveer is supervising the Project.
Tharuni could identify 740 Vulnerable families in the villages.The Adolescent groups of Girls and Boys were formed in addition to Mothers Committees.Barefoot counselors and paralegal volunteers were selected to identify the problems in the villages. The Tharuni Team underwent training of Trainers under the guidance of 'HELP' Organisation at Ongole.