Education is a tool to empower girls­ — Lanusangla Jamir

Dimapur, Oct. 14 (EMN): Women welfare officer of the district level centre for women- Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK), Dimapur, Lanusangla Jamir, has advocated education as a tool to empower girls stating that if women are given opportunities, they would excel in life and bring about change in the society.

Jamir stated this while delivering a keynote address on the occasion of International Day of Girl Child held at Neingulie Memorial High School, Neisatuo Colony, on October 11 on the theme “My voice, our equal rights.”

The event was organised jointly by the Dimapur district administration, district level centre for women- Mahila Shakti Kendra with the Adolescent Club of Neisatuo Colony, in collaboration with Can Youth.

Jamir highlighted the importance of girl children and the multiple roles they play in society. She stressed that a girl child should be protected and their rights be heard.

She mentioned that discrimination against girls is rampant and exhibited in the form of verbal abuse, domestic violence, emotional and physical violence, child marriage and so on. She urged the participants to support the organisations, who are working for the welfare of women and communities in order to achieve empowerment of women. She added that women empowerment should begin with girl child's right.

In a related programme, the Bedi Bachao Bedi Padhao (BBBP) Angjangyang block task force in Mon district, in collaboration with the churches and students union, observed the International Girl Child Day in all the 15 villages and towns under Angjangyang block on October 11.

The day was observed to create awareness on the rights of the girl child and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against girls, eliminate negative cultural attitude and practices against girls, eliminate exploitation of children as domestic helpers, eliminate early marriage and promote awareness among girls to participate in social, economic and political life.