International Day of the Girl or International Girl Child Day is observed every year on October 11. It is a day dedicated to amplifying the voices of the girl child and stand up for the rights.
The day was also observed across the state by organising various events. Following are the reports.
PHEK: The day was observed at Phek under the theme “Little girls with dreams become women with vision”.
DC Phek along with the officers and staff of DLCW-MSK, OSC Phek visited District Hospital Phek and distributed baby kits pack to new born baby girls sponsored under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao fund.
The same was also distributed to PHCs and Sub-Divisions- Meluri, Pfutsero, Chozuba and Chizami in order to promote institutional deliveries in the district.
The programme was organized by district administration in collaboration with district level centre for women – Mahila Shakti Kendra and Sakhi- One Stop Center Phek.
DC Phek, Sachin Jaiswal said that main aim of the day was to promote girls empowerment and fulfilment of human rights.
He highlighted the challenges faced by girls worldwide and encouraged every mother to avail the facilities in the hospital.
He also emphasized on the importance of institutional deliveries and later distributed baby kits to all the five sub- divisions under Phek district.
SDO (Civil) Phek, T. Lemlila Sangtam chaired the programme and addressed the importance of observing International Day of the Girl.
Mokokchung: District Administration, district level centre for women-Mahila Shakti Kendra (BBBP) and Sakhi-One Stop Centre, Mokokchung organised a programme at Town Hall, Mokokchung to mark the day on the theme “little girls with dreams become women with vision”.
According to DIPR, speaking on the occasion as special guest, Commandant, 44 Assam Rifles, Col. Pradeep Kumar said “we are celebrating the day to awaken our thoughts on showing respect to girls.”
He said everyone will achieve what they want if they have faith in themselves and asked the girls not to limit themselves in any way, but to pursue their dreams and passion.
Resource person, Dr. Ayangla DPO (UIP and RCH), Mokokchung dwelt on the topic girl child health care and personal hygiene, Meyiben of Jubilee memorial School presented a song, girl child voice was recited by Tiarenla of Town Higher Secondary School.
Vote of thanks was delivered by Asenla Longkumer (Case Worker-OSC) while general secretary, Ao Senden, Imtipokyim said the benediction.
DC, Mokokchung, Rajesh Soundararajan, in his concluding remark, asked the teachers and girl students to spread awareness and importance of Mahila Shakti Kendra- a scheme to empower rural women through community participation to realize their full potential, and asked them to visit the One Stop Centre.
Earlier, extempore speech competition was conducted where students from six schools in Mokokchung participated.
The winners of the competition were 1st – Tonpangtsula Jamir of Edith Douglas School, 2nd – Onenjungla LKR of Queen Mary Higher Secondary School and 3rd – Anamika of Jubilee Memorial School.
Peren: In Peren, the programme was graced by SDO (Civil), Rahul Mali.
He said girls should be given equal status in all the decision making body, without the involvement of the women in legislature, empowerment of women was impossible.
He further stated that the traditional perspective of treating women should be curbed so as to develop women in general. The SDO also exhorted the girls in the gathering to uphold their status with exemplary services in the society.
Other highlights of the programme were extempore speech, debate and painting competitions. Earlier, the programme was presided by Sakhi-One Stop Centre, Akosi Khate, while welcome address was delivered by Women Welfare Officer, MSK (BBBP), Heriateile and vote of thanks was proposed by Sakhi-One Stop Centre Counsellor, Grace.
Wokha: The day was also observed in Wokha, on the theme “Empowering girls for a brighter tomorrow”. EAC (P), Wokha, Molosangla Ozkum while delivering the key note address, said the significance of the day was to highlight and address the challenges faced by the girl child and stressed on the importance of promoting girls empowerment by providing proper education.
Advocate, Thungbeni Kikon, Case Worker, OSC who spoke on Girl Child’s Rights and protection dwelled on the legal aspects and other important issues related to protection from physical and sexual abuse and other additional protections and rights and added that girls must be given same opportunity like boys.
Dr.Thungchanbeni. S Patton, from department of Health & Family Welfare spoke on girl child health care and personal hygiene, which she said was important as it was one of the most effective ways to protect from different type of infections and diseases.
Kiphire: In Kiphire, on the occasion, SDO (C) Nyempo Wallim exhorted the students. Competition on extempore speech was conducted where 11 students participated. Langkhuli of Saramati View Modern School was adjudged as the winner followed by Seola of Agape School in second position.
In prepared speech, Chutiya of Eastern Christian School and Cip Bose of Saramati View Modern School emerged as the winners.
Kohima: State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) Nagaland, along with District Level Centre for Women (MSK) and 181-Women Helpline Nagaland observed the day, “Little girls with dreams become women with vision”.
A press release from SRCW stated that the team visited maternity wards of Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima, to felicitate new born children and mothers. The visit was initiated to celebrate the birth of girl child, acknowledge and encourage mothers to bring up their children without any preferences and to promote security and education for the girl child.
A total of 30 children and mothers were felicitated on the auspicious day.
To mark its significance, the release stated that October month has been designated as the “Month of the Girl Child”.
Wakching: The day was also observed at the office of the SDO (Civil) Wakching. All girl students of the schools under Wakching sub-division, Methdak, head G.B. Wakching Hq. and WTSU president Yonglong Chemshe attended the programme.
SDO (Civil) Wakching, Relise Sangtam interacted with the students and encouraged them to set their dreams and be sincere in their studies.
Chen: Chen headquarters also observed the day at R. D conference hall Chen town, organised by BBBP task force Chen. SDO (C) Chen, L. Samuel Konyak said that the day was observed to raise awareness about the challenges that girls’ face and need for empowerment and fulfilment of their human rights. He also encouraged the girl students to put more effort in their studies and give their best in whatever they do.
Dr. Shokwang Konyak, MO Chen Town spoke on cleanliness. As a part of the programme, essay competition was conducted and sanitary pad was distributed to the students.