An awareness programme on “Enrollment Drive On Scheme for Adolescent Girls” under Shaksham Aganwadi

Namchi, February 17 (IPR): An awareness programme on “Enrollment Drive On Scheme for Adolescent Girls” under Shaksham Aganwadi and Poshan 2.0 Aspirational Block Under Namchi District under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative was organised by Women, Child, Senior Citizen, and Person with Disabilities, Welfare Department, today at Officer’s Club Namchi.
The programme had the presence of Ms Rinika Tamang Zilla Panchayat Kitam-Manpur Territory as a chief guest, Mr Laxman Tamang CDPO, Namchi, Ms Sophia Lepcha Nodal Officer BBBP cum AD Nutrition, Ms Pema Bhutia DCPO Unit, Ms Bijay Laxmi Rai CNO Namchi, Health Department, Ms Kavya Rai Psychologist, Health Department, Panchayats from 11 GPUs, along with members of aspirational division, WCDD and Anganwadi.
Ms Rinika Tamang Zilla Panchayat Kitam-Manpur Territory, addressed the gathering on the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign, highlighting the importance of protecting, educating, and empowering girls. She highlighted the significant increase in the enrolment of girls in schools over the years, marking a positive trend toward gender equality in education.
She stressed the need for both parents to be actively involved in programs that focus on child care and development. She also highlighted the worrying increase in cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, linking this rise to a lack of proper parenting and supervision.
She also highlighted various government schemes aimed at the protection and empowerment of the girl child, emphasising their role in ensuring a safer and more supportive environment for girls to prosper.
Ms. Pema Bhutia, the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), addressed the audience regarding the implementation and implications of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). She emphasised that while teachers play a significant role in the development of children, parents bear the primary responsibility for their children’s safety and well-being outside of school hours. It is essential for parents to monitor their children’s whereabouts, friendships, habits, and phone usage.
Furthermore, she provided practical examples related to the POCSO Act to enhance the audience’s understanding of its provisions. She highlighted the issue 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. She urged the community to protect vulnerable individuals, including orphans and victims, and to maintain confidentiality when reporting such cases, as ignorance of the law does not exempt individuals from legal consequences.
Additionally, she outlined the procedures for adoption and foster care, which require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant Panchayat office to verify the residency of prospective adoptive parents. She also mentioned that relative adoptions can only be conducted by direct family members with a blood relationship.
Moreover, she called upon Anganwadi and ASHA workers to provide timely information to the Women and Child Development Department (WCD) to ensure systematic handling of cases and to enhance their sensitivity towards such issues. She also requested schools to monitor student dropout rates, investigate the reasons behind these dropouts, and report the data to the WCD to facilitate the protection of these children.
Mr Laxman Tamang CDPO Namchi, briefed on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative, emphasising the importance of equal opportunities for girls in education, health, and safety. He highlighted the program’s focus on reducing maternal and fraternal deaths, ensuring a safer environment for girls.
He also spoke about the Umbrella Integrated Scheme, which combines multiple related initiatives into a single, comprehensive program for more effective implementation.
Furthermore, he introduced the District HUB for Empowerment of Women, a platform aimed at ensuring the empowerment and safety of women in every district. He also emphasised the need for increasing the enrollment of girl children in schools, ensuring that every girl has access to quality education and a brighter future.
Ms Bijay Laxmi Rai CNO , addressed the assembly regarding the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PCPNDT) of 1994. This legislation was initially enacted in 1994 and subsequently amended in 2003, in response to the alarming decline in the female sex ratio observed in the years 1991, 2001, and 2011. A significant factor contributing to this decline was identified as the patriarchal mindset, the dowry system, and the misuse of technology. Consequently, the PCPNDT Act was established to prohibit sex selection both before and after conception, as well as to regulate pre-natal diagnostic techniques.
Furthermore, she noted that in Namchi District there is only one government clinic and four private clinics—two located in Namchi and two in Jorethang that are licensed to perform ultrasounds for patients. To prevent any misuse of ultrasound machines, these clinics are required to provide an application confirming compliance with the PCPNDT Act and must adhere to specific rules and regulations mandated by law.
Additionally, she emphasised that pregnant women cannot undergo ultrasounds at any time without a proper prescription signed by a physician. They are also required to complete and maintain Form F, which must be signed by both the doctor and the patient, with copies retained by both the clinic and the patient. Patients undergoing an illegal ultrasound, they may face legal penalties, including fines ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 and imprisonment for a duration of 3 to 5 years, in addition to the revocation of the clinic’s and doctors’ licenses.
Ms Kavya Rai Psychologist (Counsellor) addressed the audience regarding neuroses and psychoses, which can range from mild to severe, encompassing conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and schizophrenia. She elaborated on the different types of stress, distinguishing between acute stress, which is often beneficial and experienced by students during examinations, and chronic stress, which can have detrimental effects, as seen in individuals facing financial difficulties.
Furthermore, she conducted an interactive session with the attendees, during which she requested them to complete a specific form designed to facilitate the screening of their mental health. She emphasised the importance of engaging in physical activities and yoga, which can promote the release of endorphins, often referred to as “happy hormones.”
She encouraged the youth to participate in such activities and stressed the importance of validating their concerns and experiences, ensuring that they feel supported rather than discouraged.
The website for the PCPNDT, www.pcpndt.nhmsikkim.org, was also shared with the attendees, which will provide as an easy access to important information and updates regarding PCPNDT.