- Depts of Higher Education, Secondary Education and Basic Education prepare action plan for 4th phase of Mission Shakti
- Awareness to be created on issues like child rights, safety, security, safe touch, unsafe touch and others
- Awareness campaign on women’s safety and cybercrime will be conducted in all districts in cooperation with Police department
- “Chuppi Todo, Khulkar Bolo” counselling program to be held for girls
By Our Correspondent
Lucknow: In order to ensure safety, respect and self-reliance of women, the Yogi government is all set to launch a massive campaign in all the schools related to Higher Education, Secondary Education and Basic Education Department from October 14, as part of the fourth phase of Mission Shakti in Uttar Pradesh.
During the campaign, webinars and seminars will be conducted in schools to raise girls’ awareness of their rights and inform them about the legal provisions for their safety. The campaign will also foster awareness of critical topics such as child rights, safety, and security, as well as the importance of distinguishing between safe and unsafe physical contact.
The Departments of Higher Education, Secondary Education, and Basic Education have formulated an action plan for the fourth phase of Mission Shakti, which will be executed in a systematic and step-by-step manner.
It’s worth mentioning that the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate the fourth phase of Mission Shakti by flagging off a rally from his official residence on October 14.
To achieve gender equality in higher education, an awareness campaign will be conducted to increase the enrollment rate of women by providing them equal opportunities in higher education.
Information about various legal provisions regarding women’s safety will be provided by organizing webinars and seminars in all universities, colleges and schools. Besides, webinars and lecture series will also be organized to create awareness about gender equality, health promotion and nutrition of girls.
Additionally, after listening to the issues of the girls, counselling will be given through NGOs and psychiatrists under “Chuppi Todo, Khulkar Bolo” program.
Health testing camp will be organized
Each university and college will arrange a health check-up camp for girl students, ensuring at least one such camp in each institution. Additionally, every higher educational institution will facilitate regular dialogues with female role models on a monthly basis and actively promote various government schemes aimed at enhancing women’s safety.
Special events related to specific themes on special days will also be organized. These programs will include activities focused on the designated theme and will involve administering the Girl Child Safety Pledge. The objective is to sensitize and raise awareness in society, particularly among children, about the safety and respect of the girl child.
Focus will be on regular attendance of girls
To ensure the regular attendance of girls in schools the Basic Education Department will run an attendance campaign, conducting programs every Saturday in 1.33 lakh schools. Furthermore, the parents of girls who are frequently absent from school will be contacted and educated about the importance of attendance.
Within these 1.33 lakh schools, principals and teachers will raise students’ awareness by engaging them in discussions on various issues such as child rights, safety, security, safe and unsafe touches and others. Awareness and encouragement will be provided in schools on the importance of girls’ education by organizing exhibitions through painting, debates, discussions, making children’s newspapers etc.
Efforts will be made to establish functional toilets and incinerators for girls in upper primary and composite schools. Children will receive education on legal provisions, including the right to education, POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses), child marriage, the dowry system, and domestic violence. Additionally, students will be informed about important helpline numbers such as 1098, 1090, 112, and 181, 112 and 181.
There will be a consistent focus on discussing menstrual hygiene management with girls in upper primary schools, and they will receive training through activity books. Special attention will be given to the 79,000 girls studying in KGBV to ensure they are well-informed and empowered.
Girls to be made aware of Vishakha Guidelines
Information will be provided to students and female teachers regarding the objectives and activities of the Internal Complaint Committee (Vishakha Guideline) in the schools of the Secondary Education Department. For emergency help, wall writing will be done with complete information about Child Helpline 1098, Women Helpline 181, 1090, Police Control Room- 112, Ambulance 108, nearest police station number.
Furthermore, “Shakti Manch” will be formed and organized in every school to create awareness among girls and women about their rights. To create awareness of the legal provisions related to the safety of girls in schools, essay, speech, debate competitions and discussions will be organized through expert women lecturers. Every month, the students will be motivated by inviting famous local women from different fields to the school.