Dimapur, October 19 (MExN): In order to create awareness among young students—both girls and boys—on gender justice, the Sisterhood Network today organized a friendly soccer match under the banner ‘Girls’ Forward’ in the Showuba area of Dimapur. They sought to raise awareness on the safety and development of the girl child.
The Girls’ Forward campaign, or ‘Beti Zindabad’, is an initiative of Action Aid, organized by the Sisterhood Network (SN) in Nagaland.
Young boys till Class 9 who participated in the friendly soccer match at Showuba Village in support of ‘Girls’ Forward’ came from the villages of Nihoto, Showuba, Naga United Village, Aoyim and Xelhozhe.
“Through the soccer match we want to create awareness among the young boy and girl child in terms of love, care, respect, protect and equal opportunities without any distinctions,” said Azungla James of the SN.
In her welcome address, Chonyimong Nancy Sangtam from SN gave a brief note on the significance of the national campaign launched by Action Aid in 2012. This was highlighted in a press release from SN today.
The objective of the campaign, she said, is to create awareness on the importance of girl child and their overall holistic development. She asserted on the issues of low sex ratio, literacy rate and nutrition according to 2011 census. She also highlighted on the Rights and Equal opportunity to quality Education, Health Rights, violence against girl & women and challenged all to support Girls’ Forward vision which is to bring about social justice and stop discrimination of girl child.
Keny, member of the Nagaland Alliance for Women and Children Rights exhorted that all are equal in the eyes of God and girls should be encouraged to go forward in all aspects. In her appreciation to SN, she mentioned that SN is working for many women and children in different parts of Nagaland.
Kihomong, President, Showuba Students’ Union thanked Sisterhood Network for organizing such a program for the children and asserted that women play a vital role in shaping the future.
Lozua Kape, Centre Coordinator, Childline Dimapur took the time to spread the awareness of Childline 1098. Azungla James closed the program by thanking the Showuba village for providing the playground and all individual who participated in the programme. Girls’ Forward theme song was presented by Welly.
