GANDERBAL, APRIL 29: A significant maiden review meeting of the members of Legal Services Unit for Persons with Mental Illness and persons with Intellectual Disabilities (LSUM) and Legal Services Unit for Children (LSUC) was today held in the Office Chamber of Secretary DLSA Ganderbal.
The meeting chaired by Secretary, DLSA Ganderbal, Sheikh Babar Hussain, aimed to discuss and review the implementation of the NALSA (Child-Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme, 2024 and NALSA (Legal Services to Persons with Mental Illness and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities) Scheme, 2024 for providing legal services to children and persons with mental illness & intellectual disabilities.
Secretary, DLSA underscored the critical role of Legal Services Units in safeguarding the rights of two key vulnerable groups including children and persons with mental illness and intellectual disabilities.
Addressing the members of the Legal Services Unit for Children (LSUC), Hussain highlighted the need to ensure children have access to expert, specialized and competent legal services. He stressed that legal services units should provide age-appropriate and multi-disciplinary legal services tailored to the unique needs of children.
He emphasized conducting outreach programs to identify and assist vulnerable children, spreading awareness about their rights, entitlements, and legal remedies, and fostering a child-friendly environment within the justice system.
Secretary DLSA stressed collaboration with communities, educational institutions, government departments, and NGOs to strengthen the ecosystem for implementing laws and policies safeguarding children’s rights.
In a parallel effort, Secretary DLSA assigned the members of the Legal Services Unit for Mentally Ill & Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (LSUM) with the responsibility of ensuring free & competent legal services in order to cater to the specific and unique needs of persons with mental illness and intellectual disabilities.
Through these initiatives, DLSA Ganderbal aims to make a meaningful difference in the lives of these vulnerable groups, ensuring their rights are protected and their voices are heard within the justice system.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to work together to promote access to justice for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and children in Ganderbal and this move shall be taken to the remotest part of the district.
