An awareness programme marking the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

Namchi, February 19 (IPR): An awareness programme marking the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), themed ‘Sports Week and Plantation Drive’, aimed to engage the community in both environmental and social awareness activities, was organised by the Women, Child, Senior Citizen, and Person with Disabilities Welfare Department today at the Ranvangla Block Administrative Centre (BAC), Namchi District.
The programme was attended by Mr Norbu Lepcha CDPO Ravangla, Mr D P Dahal BDO Ravangla, Ms Smriti Rai Probation Officer DCPU Namchi, Ms Hema Devi Sharma DMC HUB for Empowerment of Women, Panchayat from various GPUs, students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) School Ravangla, Anganwadi workers, and members of ICDs, SHGs, and staffs from BAC Ravangla.
Ms Smriti Rai Probation Officer DCPU Namchi, in her address, informed the audience about the implementation and implications of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012. She emphasised that the Act is gender-neutral, ensuring that all children under the age of 18, regardless of gender, are afforded protection under the law.
She also encouraged the community to report such incidents, highlighting that ignorance of the law does not absolve individuals from facing legal repercussions.
Further, she discussed the numerous government initiatives designed to safeguard and empower the girl child, highlighting their significance in creating a safer and more nurturing environment for girls to thrive. She also addressed topics such as adoption, relative adoption, orphan abandonment adoption, foster care, and aftercare for children.
Moreover, she highlighted the issue and risks of teenage pregnancy, noting that even consensual marriages involving minors are illegal and subject to non-bailable imprisonment, as the law does not recognise the consent of individuals below the legal age.
Additionally, she addressed the topic of mental health, emphasising the importance of open discussions. She encouraged young individuals to engage in outdoor activities and to share their daily experiences with family members. She highlighted the significance of acknowledging their concerns and experiences, ensuring that they feel supported rather than disheartened.
Ms Hema Devi Sharma DMC, in her address, elaborated on the establishment and objectives of the One Stop Centre (OSC) and HUB, which are designed to assist women who have experienced violence in both private and public spheres, including within families, communities, and workplaces. These centers aim to provide immediate, emergency, and non-emergency access to a comprehensive range of services, such as medical, legal, psychological, and counseling support, all under one roof, to combat various forms of violence against women.
Furthermore, she encouraged everyone to make use of the emergency helpline number, emphasising that this number not only offers prompt assistance but also raises awareness about various government initiatives focused on women’s empowerment.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao,” the distribution of the 24-hour child helpline number 1098 and the women’s helpline number 181 occurred in the Ravangla Subdivision. Attendees were also urged to disseminate these helpline numbers to ensure timely support for individuals requiring assistance.
The programme included a plantation drive in which the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) and members of the BAC were actively involved in planting saplings of seasonal flowers and trees. This effort underscored the significance of environmental conservation. Subsequently, a series of rural sports events were organized for the girl children from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) School in Ravangla.
The games included balloon bursting, chungi (ball made by tying small rubber bands together), spoon balancing, and touching the tin, fostering both fun and physical activity.
The results of the rural sports were as follows;
Balloon brusting:
1. First position – Ms Zenisha Chettri.
2. Second position – Ms Tenzing Zangmu Sherpa.
3. Third position- Ms Anushka Subba.
Chungi:
1. First position – Ms Samten Sherpa.
2. Second position – Ms Rikshala Bhutia.
3. Third position – Ms Tshering Yankee Sherpa.
Spoon balancing :
1. First position – Ms Prakriti Gurung.
2. Second position – Ms Samjana Rai.
3. Third position – Ms Binisha Gurung.
Touching tin:
1. First position – Ms Rikshala Bhutia.
2. Second position – Ms Nheungpa Rai.
3. Third position – Ms Tshering Yankee Sherpa.