In commemoration of International Day of the Girl Child, a felicitation programme for girl child achievers and Women achievers and Wokha District Local Champion of Beti Bachao BetiPadhao was initiated by Wokha District Administration and District Level Centre for Women –Mahila Shakti Kendra (DCLW-MSK) under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao on 11th October’ 2020.The programme started with a warm greeting message to all the girls of Wokha District
from Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor, Horticulture and Border Affairs.
Speaking on the theme “My Voice, Our Equal Future”, he said that it spoke volume of the further desire and inspiration of more than 1.1 billion young girls across the globe under theage of 18 years in asserting their rights as change makers. He appreciated the work done by the District Administration, Wokha and DLCW-MSK in coming up with many innovative ideas in implementing BBBP scheme specially in creating awareness in social issues, education, health and skill development. He further emphasised on the needs to educate the girl child in environmental conservation and take up measures in medicating and adapting to climate change.
Lobeno Tungoe, 2nd runners up of Song composition and Singing Competition organised under BBBP enthralled the audience with her original song “Strength of a Woman”. Chairperson, Arhonbeni Ezung, EAC (P), led the audience in saying the Pledge of Saving, Supporting and Educating the girl child. After the pledge taking, Hachoben and Chumreno, winner of online dance competition organised under BBBP captivated everyone present with their dance on the song “Savage Love”.
On the occasion, many groups of achievers were felicitated, namely, under the literary groups- 16 winners of online essay completion under different categories and off line essay competition on the event of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary were felicitated. Under recreational category- 17 Winners of dance competition and Basket weaving competition were felicitated. Under education category- Top ten girls of both HSLC and HSSLC 2019-2020examination, Two Subject topper of HSLC and HSSLC 2019-2020 examination and three schools which achieved cent per cent result during the HSLC and HSSLC 2019- 2020 examination were felicitated.
Susana H. Humtsoe, local champion of Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao was also felicitated in recognization of the her contribution in promoting the cause of Beti Bacaho and Beti Padhao inall the blocks and village of Wokha District. Speaking on the occasion, she emphasised on the importance of gender equality and how the society must work together as one to achieve the dream of equal world.
Chief Guest Mathung K. Tsanglao, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, speaking on the occasion said that gender quality must start from home, right from the kitchen. Claiming thatthere is no such thing as male work or female work, that all works are same as everyone eats the same so every work must be done by everyone regardless of gender. He emphasised that parents must inculcates this concept right from the beginning in order to stop the chain of gender stereotype. He said there is a need to bring up the child with a thought that boys and girls are same for our generation to progress towards positive development. Gender equality is a human right, so not allowing female to work outside or not given the opportunity to vote or the rights to own a property is wrong. Male must listen and respect the opinion of female in every decision that involves her or her family. He further said that educating girl child is a must. Till date there are some families which gives priority to household chores that to the girl education which he stated that is wrong and violate her right as human. He encouraged everyone present to be the channel of change and spread the message of importance of girl education.
He pointed out that girls are victims of double discrimination because being under age they cannot voice out when injustice is melted out to them and also because just being a girl itself as their views and opinion are not taken seriously by the society. He encouraged the girls to stand and speak for their own rights because as long as we do not stand or speak out we are not heard or seen. He also touched on the issue of family planning. Pointing out on the importance of taking into consideration on the financial status of a family while planning for the number of child the family planned to have as it because a burden to both parents as well as the child if the family cannot even provide the basic need of their children.
Further, he also encouraged the individuals responsible for the implementation of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme in utilizing the adolescent girls club created under the scheme. He indicated that many social issues can be disseminated to the society through the clubs. The ended his speech with a word of encouragement to support the education of girl child and promote the cause of gender issues to all the audience present.
The programme ended with a concluding remark from Vitolu Chishi, EAC (P). Sanitary Pads were also distributed to all the participants to emphasis on the importance of menstrual hygiene.
(Zubenthung, IA Wokha)