Dimapur, March 30 (EMN): Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK), in collaboration with the district administration, Mon, organised an awareness programme for adolescent girls on March 26 at Mon town council hall.
Addressing the gathering, SDO Mon, Ilika Zhimomi, informed that the programme was targeted specifically for girl students of Class 8 since they are at a crucial transitional phase. She asserted that the aim of the programme was to create awareness among adolescent girls on topics which they might not receive at home or in the school.
Even as the subject might not be part of the school curriculum, she encouraged the teachers to conduct similar sessions in the school, a DIPR report stated on Tuesday.
Speaking on reproductive health of adolescent girls, medical officer of Tang PHC, Dr. Khumrila Sangtam highlighted the physical changes that an adolescent undergo during the transition from childhood to adulthood. She also highlighted the process of menstruation and the ways to maintain personal hygiene during menstruation. She further highlighted the abnormalities during menstruation which might require professional help.
MSK district coordinator, Neijoi Konyak, spoke about “good touch and bad touch,” where she explained the difference between a touch of care and affection and a touch with bad intentions. She also advised the students not to be scared to voice out and speak up against such behaviour adding that remaining silent to such behaviour would only encourage the perpetrator to continue.
Coordinator of Childline Mon, Eunice Thalih, highlighted about Childline 1098, which was established to assist, aid and rescue children in distress through a 24/7 toll free no. 1098. She stated that Childline teams, on receiving a distress call, arrive at the destination within 60 minutes. She stated that Childline reaches out to children from 0-18 years of age and in extreme emergency cases up to 25 years of age.
She further encouraged the students to make use of the service for themselves and others and urged them not to be afraid to report stating that full confidentiality would be maintained.
The programme also witnessed a short awareness screening on Childline 1098.
Girl students from various schools in Mon attended the awareness programme.
