‘National Girl Child Day’ celebrated in Nagaland
Dimapur, January 30 (MExN): Under the theme ‘Educate: Towards a safer society for our girls’, the Nagaland State Social Welfare Board (NSSWB) and the State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) celebrated the National Girl Child Day along with the rest of India on January 22.
As part of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiatives, the program was held with school dropout girls undertaking vocational training under the Nagaland State Social Welfare Board at the Entrepreneur Development & Integrated Training Institute (EDITI), Kohima.
During the event, NSSWB Chairperson Bano Vinito dwelling on the theme of the day encouraged the girls “not to be scared but fight back, not to easily fall for someone but learn, give their mind and empower themselves.”
Calling for independent life before marriage, she also stressed on the need for the girls to learn to be passionate about what they do and encouraged them to even attend open school.
“In order to fight with life, one needs to be empowered and to be empowered, one needs to be educated,” she maintained.
A special session on sexual abuse was organised for the girls by the State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) to increase awareness about the inequalities faced by girl child in the society and to equip themselves and even protect their friends when such situations arise.
The session started with “Changes in Me and Handling Emotional Changes” by Vekhwusalü Dawhuo, PSK-SRCW, where she emphasised on the various emotional changes girls go through and how to handle themselves with these changes.
The session on “Gender Sensitisation- Gender vs Sex & Breaking Myths” was taken by Ajabu Tungoe, PSK-SRCW to enable the girls to share their stereotypes on male and female activity and to explore the myths about sexuality and give them a true understanding of the facts revolving around sexuality.
“Child Sexual Abuse & Safety Measures” was shared by Gracy Ayee, SRCW, to make the participants understand different types of child sexual abuse and the profile of an abuser and the safety measures in the context of child sexual abuse.
R. Juliana Medom, SRCW, emphasised on “Assertive Communication & Conflict Resolution” and taught them how to say ‘No’ to abuse and communicate feelings of discomfort. The day ended with prize distributions to the various groups for their participation in the session and the various group activities.
