Namchi districts organises training cum awareness programmes under 10 years of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’

Namchi, 1st March(IPR): Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Diyangjan Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim celebrated ten years of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ (BBBP) at the Officers’ Club, today.
The programme had the presence of Mr Ashis Bhujel SHO Namchi, Mr Laxman Tamang CDPO Namchi, Ms Sophia Lepcha Nodal Officer for BBBP cum AD Nutrition, Ms Divya Rai psychologist Health and Family Welfare Department, Ms Smriti Rai Probation Officer Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Diyangjan Welfare Department, Ms Bijaylaxmi Rai CNO Health and Family Welfare Department along with ANM Nurses, Anganwadi and Asha workers under Namchi block.
Ms Sophia Lepcha Nodal Officer for BBBP cum AD Nutrition provided valuable insights into the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015 under the Women and Child Development Department. She discussed the objectives of the BBBP programme and its impact on promoting gender equality and empowering girls. She also highlighted the Sukhanya Samriddhi Yojana, a savings scheme for the girl child introduced through BBBP. Additionally, she informed the legal minimum marriage age of 21 for boys and 18 for girls and encouraged gender equality, community participation, increased enrollment of girls in schools and institutional deliveries.
Additionally, Mr Ashis Bhujel SHO Namchi conducted an awareness session and training on Women Centric Legislation through the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He highlighted the distinction between congenital and non-congenital offences with a focus on verbal and physical assaults. He also elaborated on the POCSO Act and detailed the provisions for its violations. For women and child related complaints, he provided the contact number for the Namchi Police Station: 8695622126.
Ms Divya Rai psychologist from the Health and Family Welfare Department gave an insightful discussion on the importance of mental health and highlighted the growing concerns of suicidal cases within the state. She emphasised the need to prioritise mental health with the same importance as physical health. To further support individuals in need, she shared a toll-free emergency number for mental health issues: 18008914416.
Ms Smriti Rai Probation Officer Women and Child Department conducted an informative session on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012. During the session, she emphasised that the act provides protection to both boys and girls under the age of 18. She also highlighted the Mission Vatsalya Scheme and discussed the role of the Child Welfare Committee. In addition , she shared important child-related helpline numbers, including the emergency helpline number: 1098 to ensure the safety and well-being of children.
Thereafter, Ms Bijay Laxmi Rai CNO Health and Family Welfare Department discussed about Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques(PC and PNDT) Act 1994 is an Act of the Parliament of India that was passed in 1994 and was created to stop female foeticides and improve the sex ratio in India. She also stated key aspects of PC and PNDT Act, which are: Prohibition of Sex Selection,Regulation of Clinics,Mandatory Registration of Radiology Machines, Punitive Measures.
A video presentation was showcased regarding women helpline: 181 providing the exclusive directions to the health workers during the case of women related emergency.
The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to the Asha, Anganwadi workers and ANM Nurses.