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Students display placards during a silent walk rally in Kohima on the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child on October 11. (EM Images)[/caption]
Kohima, Oct. 11 (EMN): Joining with the rest of the world, Family Planning Association of India (FPAI), Nagaland Branch, organised a silent walk rally from Old MLA Hostel Junction to NSF Martyrs Park coinciding with the International Day of the Girl Child on Wednesday.
Some of the placards read “Stop rape,” “Stop sexual abuse,” “Stop gender-based violence,” “Pep for rape survivors.”
Rokoneinuo, PFAI Program Officer Nagaland branch, in her address, said the programme was organised to support girls and women and to create awareness on gender equality, discrimination, and violence against women.
Stating that women right is a human right and gender equality is not a women issue but a human issue, she appealed to stop gender-based violence and also create a better environment for the girl child.
Vincent Belho, FPAI general manager, Nagaland Branch, speaking on the same note said the rally would tell the government and citizens to stop violence against the girl child and stop gender-based violence.
He stated that the International Day of the Girl Child promotes girls’ rights and highlights gender inequalities that remain between girls and boys, adding it is a UN observance that is annually held on October 11.
He said the International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
He said a silent walk rally in Kohima was a campaign on “Zero tolerance to violence against women.”
Signature campaign, speak out sessions in the community and colleges, and experts talk on issues affecting girl child also marked the day.
Students from various schools in Kohima, PFAI members, NGOs, and volunteers took part the silent rally.
