Budgam, Oct 12 (KNO): The Department of Social Welfare, through the SANKALP Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW) under Mission Shakti, Budgam, organised an awareness programme at Government High School (GHS), Ichigam, to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.
The programme, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), focused on raising awareness among students about girls’ rights, safety, education and empowerment, with special emphasis on child marriage, child protection laws and government welfare schemes.
Asifa Manzoor, Gender Specialist, SANKALP-HEW, Mission Shakti Budgam, welcomed the participants and stressed the importance of educating and empowering adolescent girls.
Afroza Ahad, District Mission Coordinator (DMC), SANKALP-HEW, sensitised students about the harmful consequences of child marriage and the legal provisions and penalties associated with the practice. She further briefed them on government schemes for girls and women and helpline numbers available to seek assistance in cases of violence, abuse, child marriage and other emergencies.
Meanwhile, Nelofar Nazir, Superintendent, Shakti Sadan, delivered an awareness session on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. She highlighted the importance of child safety, identifying unsafe situations and reporting cases of abuse to the concerned authorities.
Students participated enthusiastically in the programme and were felicitated in recognition of their participation.
The programme aimed to strengthen awareness about the rights and protection of the girl child and promote a safe and supportive environment where girls can pursue their education and realise their full potential—(KNO)