Hyderabad: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is intensifying its efforts to promote human rights awareness across the country. In a recent initiative, the Commission organized a three-day “Training of Trainers” programme on human rights from September 9 to 11, 2024, in Telangana. The event, held in collaboration with the Centre for Law and Public Administration at the Dr. MCR Human Resource Development Institute, aimed at empowering 50 officers, including police personnel and representatives from the Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Departments.
The training programme aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to advocate for human rights within their respective fields, focusing on vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly. Experts from academia, law enforcement, and the judiciary led the sessions, which covered constitutional provisions, international human rights frameworks, and mechanisms for safeguarding human rights at both national and global levels.
At the valedictory session, Dr. Shashank Goel, Director General and Special Chief Secretary of the Government of Telangana, emphasized the collective responsibility in safeguarding human rights, particularly for marginalized populations. He praised the NHRC for organizing such training programs and commended the participants for their commitment to the cause.
The sessions covered a wide range of topics, including women’s rights, trafficking, domestic violence, and the rights of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and transgender individuals. On day one, Professor A.S. Ramachandra, a retired professor from the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LABASNA), presented an overview of constitutional provisions on human rights. This was followed by a session on women’s rights, led by Shri Srinivas Madhav, Consultant at MCR HRD Institute, who explored women’s rights under national and international law.
Day two focused on the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, led by Shri Damodhar, IPS (Retd.), along with discussions on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The rights of persons with disabilities and transgender individuals were also highlighted.
On the final day, Smt. G. Jhansi Rani, Course Coordinator at Dr. MCR HRD Institute, conducted a session on Active Bystander Intervention, stressing the importance of stepping in to prevent human rights violations. Dr. Madhavi Ravulapati, Senior Faculty and Head of the Centre for Public Administration, addressed the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace and the mechanisms available for redressal.
This programme represents a crucial step in advancing human rights advocacy in southern India. The NHRC continues to work with government bodies, academic institutions, NGOs, and human rights defenders to protect and promote human rights, ensuring dignity and respect for all individuals as a cornerstone of a just society.