Save Girl Child Campaign: series of awareness activities, Pledge ceremonies held across Kishtwar Distt

Kishtwar: As a part of AzadikaAmritMahotsav pledge taking ceremonies were Wednesday held under BetiBachaoBetiPadhao (BBBP) scheme in various educational institutions and AWCs in District headquarter Kishtwar and far flung areas of Sub division Chatroo and Paddar.
The pledge ceremonies were organised with an aim to emphasise the education of girl children and to ensure that girls are born, loved and nurtured to become equal and empowered citizens of the country.
The activities were conducted on the direction of Deputy Commissioner KishtwarDrDevanshYadav (IAS) and under the supervision of District Social Welfare Officer, Zubair Ahmed, who is also the Nodal Officer for BBBP. District Hub for Empowerment of Women, Mission Shakti Kishtwar also collaborated in the campaign.
Alongside, a series of awareness activities under BBBP were also carried out in the Government educational institutions by involving the AWWs, Sports fraternity persons, school staff and children.
During the series of events organised at various locations, a total of 350 students marked their participation.
The participants were also sensitized about the issue of decline in the Child Sex Ratio (CSR) which is a major indicator of women disempowerment as it reflects both, pre-birth discrimination manifested through gender biased sex selection, and post birth discrimination against girls (in form of their health, nutrition, educational needs).
Social constructs, discriminating against girls on the one hand and easy availability, affordability and subsequent misuse of diagnostic tools on the other hand, have been critical in declining CSR. The strong socio-cultural and religious biases, preference for sons and discrimination towards daughters has accentuated the problem.
During the awareness speeches, it was observed that the sharp decline as pointed out by Census 2011 data is a call for urgent action, as it highlights that the girl child is increasingly being excluded from life itself. Coordinated and convergent efforts are needed to ensure survival, protection and education of the girl child.
The participants were educated about the aim and objectives of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme which was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 22nd January, 2015 to address the issue of decline in CSR and related issues of empowerment of girls and women over a life cycle continuum.
The participants were encouraged to disseminate further the awareness regarding the scheme among the masses in the district to achieve the desired goal.