State observes ‘International Youth Day’

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 12 (EMN): Youths of Nagaland on Wednesday celebrated ‘International Youth Day’ on the theme ‘Youth engagement for global action’.

The webinar was initiated by Peace Channel and North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research, in collaboration with Community Health Initiative, Nagaland NGOs Forum, Can Youth and Serendip Guardians.

Speaking on the occasion, team leader of Serendip Guardians Mental Health Rini Ghose said that young people can be advocates of mental health issues and stated that people need to start speaking about mental health.

Pointing out that there is so much of stigma attached to mental health, she stated that young people can play a huge role as peer support could bring about a huge difference.

As the pandemic has triggered so much of mental health issues, she stated that young people have started reaching out to them. To be precise, she stated that 90% of the people availing their services are young people. She was delighted to observe that many youngsters are coming forward to avail the service.

The team leader appealed to the young people to be advocates of mental health and normalise the issue by supporting one another.

Chief functionary of CAN Youth and social entrepreneur Jenpu Rhakho Rongmei said the day is a celebration of young people to respect their initiatives and actions.

Observing that youth in Nagaland lacks motivation and inspiration, he called upon them to try resolving the conflicts that are within themselves.

He also requested the youth to raise their voice against domestic violence as the people are not talking about the issue. He further called upon the young people of Nagaland to build connection for a better society.

Loreni Sophia, lawyer and director of Community Health Initiative, shared about the need to create awareness on menstrual hygiene among women, especially the youngsters.

Speaking about her initiative, she informed that sanitary napkin vending machines are made available at government schools in Dimapur. She informed that 20 machines have been installed presently. She added that they are trying to expand it to private institutions as well.

After installing the vending machine, attendance among young girls has increased, she informed. The lawyer further added that education should not be stopped by menstruation and called upon the people to end the stigma attached to it.