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Community functionaries of Wokha pose for a group photograph during the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme, on Dec. 12, in Wokha.[/caption]
Dimapur, Dec. 12 (EMN): The district administration of Wokha organized a seminar for village functionaries, nongovernmental organisations and civil organisations focusing on the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme for 2018, on Dec. 12 in the town hall of Wokha. The seminar focused mainly on educating the GB of the district about the scheme, updates from the DIPR stated on Wednesday.
Civil subdivision officer of Wokha district, Chonpenthung Ezung, addressed the GB. He said that the scheme was launched in the month of October this year as an initiative of the government of India. He said that Wokha was one of the ‘chosen districts’ because ‘the girl sex ratio in the district is found to be lower than the male sex ratio,’ according to the Socio Economic Census of 2011. He talked about educating the GB community about the importance of the girl child and how the sex ratio can be increased.
Ezung mentioned also that many activities and programmes have been conducted since the launch of the scheme. The aim of it was to publicise it among the public and the programme is one such initiative involving the participation of GB, the DIPR stated. The reason is, ‘They enforce our customs and traditions besides playing a big role and responsibility in sensitizing and creating awareness,’ the gathering was told.
Urging the gathering to give equal importance to both male and female children, the officer said decisions and views expressed by women should also be taken into consideration as they have got the ability to contribute for the progress of the community. Chonpenthung Ezung expressed happiness that in ‘our community equal opportunity is given to both male and female child. He encouraged them to continue to support and make them a productive member of the society,’ the DIPR stated.
A leader of the Wokha GB Association also spoke at the programme assuring to extend all possible help and support from their organisation for the success of the scheme.
Further, a pledge in support of the girl child was also read out by all the participants at the event. A government employee Renbeni Ovung led in reading out the pledge, the updates said.
Later in the day, a seminar about “strengthening and reorientation of customary laws and practices” with special focus on ‘women issues and customary laws’ under Article 371 A was held at the deputy commissioner’s conference hall, the DIPR updates stated.
Adolescent girls’ clubs
The district administration of Wokha hosted a seminar focusing on ‘adolescent girls clubs’ in Wokha district as part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, on Dec. 8 at the Youth Centre of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School.
Delivering the key note address, the deputy commissioner of Wokha Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon, emphasized on the importance of having ‘adolescent girls clubs,’ the DIPR stated in its Wednesday updates. He was stated to have urged those who have not enrolled in the club to join it as it was ‘very beneficial for them.’
Also, Dr. Samoon said that ‘adolescent clubs’ would be formed in all blocks as part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme and that some clubs have already been formed in some schools in the town.
The DIPR stated that he encouraged them to join the club ‘because basic life skills and other job oriented trainings are given,’ and more of such training programmes were in the pipeline.
‘The purpose of forming such clubs and imparting trainings is to encourage the girl child to make them responsible individuals so that they can earn their own livelihood and become a successful and productive member in the society in future,’ the DIPR stated.
Later, Dr. Samoon launched the Clean Wokha Campaign, the updates added.