Chencho Dema

Punakha— Health workers and teachers in Punakha were trained on Early Identification and Safe Referral (EISR) manual in a two-day training programme in Punakha, which concludes today.

The programme, supported by UNICEF and led by the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), aimed to equip frontline professionals with the knowledge and skills to address child abuse and violence.

During the training, 24-year-old nurse Tenzin Choden from Punakha Hospital shared a poignant experience involving a distressed young student who arrived at the emergency ward. Although the child exhibited normal vital signs, she felt uncertain about the next steps.

Unsure of how to proceed in such cases, she  asked Kinley Dorji, deputy chief programme officer of NCWC, for advice, who told her to refer such cases to appropriate authorities like The Pema Secretariat or RENEW for further evaluation.

This incident highlights the need for effective child protection measures, prompting NCWC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the system.

The EISR manual, developed by the Women and Children Division of NCWC, is a critical resource for ensuring the proper identification and referral of children in need of protection.

Kinley Dorji said that the initiative designates health workers and teachers as frontline responders, entrusting them with the responsibility of addressing cases of violence against children. “To strengthen the child protection system, the NCWC has assigned additional responsibilities to health workers and teachers, designating them as frontline responders to address cases of violence against children.”

During the training, participants shared real-life instances of child abuse, illustrating the varied forms it can take.

One case involved a 17-year-old girl forced to leave school due to financial hardship, subsequently working in a restaurant where her mother controlled her earnings. When the girl resisted, she faced physical abuse.

A teacher at the session raised concerns about low parental attendance at parent-teacher meetings, stating that this disengagement leaves children vulnerable and unaware of their rights.

Another participant stressed the importance of involving parents in advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about child violence.

Layki Tshering, a teacher from Shengana Lower Secondary School, said the training was informative and that the knowledge gained would help him identify vulnerable students early on and provide support.

The training addressed various types of child abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, and exploitation. Participants were also informed about the common profiles of abusers, often individuals whom children know and trust, such as relatives and authority figures.

Punakha is the eighth district to receive EISR training, following similar sessions in Samdrupjongkhar, Pemagatshel, Sarpang, Chukha, Wangdue, Haa, and Paro. Plans are underway to extend this initiative to additional districts.

Kinley Dorji said that these trainings not only improve early identification and referral mechanisms but also enhance the overall child protection system. “By empowering health workers and teachers with the right skills, NCWC hopes to ensure the safety and well-being of children throughout the country,” he said.