By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 24 Jan: Society for Health, Education & Women Empowerment Awareness (SHEWA), in collaboration with Sanjay Maternity Centre, today, celebrated National Girls’ Day. As many as 40 nursing and paramedical students participated.
The seminar was presided over by Dr Sujata Sanjay, obstetrician and gynecologist. Dr Sujata, while speaking on the topic of ‘woman empowerment’, said, “Though women have made their mark in the academic field, they are unaware of their rights, which creates a number of problems in their journey of life.” She also highlighted various achievements of women in diverse fields.
Dr Sujata threw light on the role of women in building a prosperous society. She said literacy among women folk was the main pillar and an important issue. This gender was most vulnerable to abuse and exploitation as their voices were not heard in the male dominated society. The main objective of celebrating this day was to spread awareness in society about inequalities. The day is observed for enhancing opportunities for the girls in the country and to ensure that the girl children get respect and equality in rights.
Dr Pratik, Secretary, SHEWA, said several steps needed to be taken in order to give concrete shape to the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign and educators and parents in India had an important role to play. Gender studies needed to be included in the core curriculum of schools. Boys and young men must be educated in schools to value and respect women and girls, take responsibility for the increasing violence against girls, and respect girls’ rights to their own bodies. Girls must be empowered by their education to speak up when they are abused, protest unwanted advances and protect themselves, and to demand their right to bodily integrity and respect in and outside of their homes.