Uttaranchal Institute of Management, Uttaranchal University, organized an Awareness Campaign on ‘Empowering Girl Child’ in Kehri Village near Premnagar, Dehradun on 25th February, 2019. Every girl child has a right to a safe and healthy life, not only during these vulnerable formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during adolescent years, girls have a potential to change the world. An investment in realizing the power of girl child upholds their right in solving the problems of societal changes, political conflicts, economic growth, disease prevention and global environment. Mr. Rakesh Semwal, NSS Coordinator, UIM, Mr.V.K.Tangri and Mr.Praveen Saini conducted the event along with around fifteen students of UIM.
Before the campaign began, Hon’ble Chancellor, Shri Jitender Joshi appreciated the efforts of the entire team and Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) N.K. Joshi pointed out that such a campaigns must be held consistently to make the society aware about its responsibility. Director, UIM Prof. (Dr.) Pradeep Suri emphasized upon the need to give quality education and stringent laws to safeguard the interests of every girl child. On the occasion Dr.V.K.Srivastava, NSS Coordinator-Uttaranchal University and Dr.Anshul Sharma, HOD (Management) were also present.
In this exercise, the team discussed with the villagers about the crucial need to have safe environment in schools and proper educational opportunities for the girl-child. The girls that have access to education and possess the skills to be economically independent become equipped to live healthy and productive lives. The residents told us that they were already providing education opportunities to their girls and assured us that they would continue to support such types of campaigns and adopting the suggested measures. Other issues raised included cultural malpractices such as child marriage and child labor. It was informed that child marriage hampers a girl’s natural development and maturity resulting in her social isolation, interruption in her schooling, limiting her opportunities for career and vocational advancement apart from putting her at risk of domestic violence.
The issue of domestic violence which occurred with girls was also discussed along with other challenges faced by girls such as rape, physical and verbal abuse and trafficking etc. The need to form a local community centre was advised to keep a tab on these issues. If such incidents ever happen, they should immediately contact local administration and make sure that such incidents do not go unnoticed and stern action be taken against the perpetrators thereof.
The team contacted villagers such as Village Pradhan Ms. Seema, Mr. Mohan Singh, Mr. Kamal Kumar, Ms. Kiran, Mr. Rajpal Chauhan, Mr. Manish Singh, Mr. Sumit, Ms. Sunita Kumari, Mrs. Pooja, Mr. Tirath Singh, Ms. Neha and Mrs. Kalavati to name a few. They informed that the condition of girls in the village is safe and they are properly protected. They appreciated the initiative of UIM Team and also assured us of executing our advice in letter and spirit.
