Every year, 8th March is globally observed as the International Women’s Day (IWD), and in this regard, the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has informed that the Ministry of Education, Department of School Education & Literacy has directed all the schools to observe the occasion to reflect and amplify on various issues that come in the way of women’s empowerment and hinder realization of gender equality.
The International Women’s Day may be observed with the following suggested activities to take forward the momentum of empowerment of girls and women through education in the schools:
1. The day’s topic of instructions in different subjects could focus on women achievers. For example, in Social Studies subject, students may be taught about women freedom fighters in national movement (1857-1947), 15 women members of the Constituent Assembly; in Science, about women scientists and discoveries/contribution made by them, and in Language, literature by women writers and poets.
2. Special morning assembly-online or offline: Talks on women achievers in different fields, role play, thought of the day, group song on women empowerment, award/recognition to the girl students who have performed well in different fields such as academics/sports, dance, music, arts, social service and other novel areas.
3. Organize talks by women professional such as those in medical fields, teaching, armed forces, police, aircraft pilots, locomotive pilots, aerospace engineers, building and construction, scientist etc. and facilitate their interaction with the students.
4. Honouring women faculty members and staff.
5. Essay writing on prominent/inspirational women of the district where the school/institution is located.
6. Organize a discussion-cum-workshops on women issues during the week.
7. Highlight/discuss the initiatives undertaken for eliminating gender based discrimination and promote girls’ education.
8. Create awareness on Menstrual Hygiene so that drop-out of girls at secondary/senior secondary level may be reduced.
9. Hold Parent Teacher’s meetings on nutrition for the child, particularly girl child.
(DIPR)