A seminar on child safety and development was inaugurated by C.R. Saraswathi, Chairperson, Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board, at the Collectorate in the city on Saturday.
“Statistics by the Indian government and UNICEF have revealed that maternal and infant mortality rates are quite high , especially in districts of Tiruchi, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Virudunagar, Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri and Vellore,” said Ms. Saraswathi.
She added that the problem can be eliminated only by collective efforts of all the government officials and increased awareness among the public. She also stressed on the importance of getting a girl married only after the age of 18.
Jayashree Muralidharan, Collector, observed that the sex ratio in the district has increased over a period of time.
“Earlier, the sex ratio stood at 1000:1014. But in a recent a census of children below 5 years it has been found that ratio is 1000:947. This will have a detrimental impact on the society and the economy,” she said.
She also spoke about the problem of sexual harassment of minor’s and advised parents to act on complaints raisedby their children .
A. Jaya, Mayor, Rachana Williams, advisor, child safety and development, UNICEF and R. Manoharan, Deputy Director of Health Services, were present.
