NSCW team and resources persons with teachers and students of Jo Foundation Inclusive school, Kohima on September 26. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 26
The Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) today propagated the importance of healthy food and healthy dietary habits during an awareness programme on Poshan Maah under the banner ‘Nutrition- rich India, Educated India, Empowered India’ at Jo Foundation Inclusive School, Kohima. This awareness programme was organized by NSCW and sponsored by National Commission for Women (NCW).
Speaking on the occasion, NSCW Chairperson, W Nginyeih Konyak informed that the NSCW too joined the nationwide programme of Poshan Maah as per NCW’s directive. Poshan Maah, also known as National Nutrition Month, is an annual event in India which aims at raising awareness about the importance of nutrition and promoting healthy dietary habits.
She said that the theme for Poshan Maah 2023 “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat,” (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, and Empowered India) underscored the critical interplay between nutrition, education, and empowerment in the country's development.
“Sashakt Bharat” or “Empowered India” emphasizes the importance of gender mainstreaming and women's empowerment in tackling nutritional issues, she said.
It also aimed at empowering children through universal access to quality education and to promote nutrition understanding to tackle the issue of malnutrition through a lifecycle approach wherein vulnerable life stages such as pregnancy, lactation, adolescence and children under six-years of age are targeted.
Stating that Poshan Maah signifies the nation's commitment to addressing the pervasive issue of malnutrition and promoting the health and well-being of its citizens, she said “Let us all remember that by focusing on nutrition, education, and empowerment, India can work towards a healthier, more literate, and empowered nation.”
‘Nutrition- rich diet for growth’
Talking on “Nutrition- rich diet for growth,” Reyivolu Kezo, Child Development Project Officers (CDPO) said that Poshan Maah is a month long programme and is celebrated every year since 2020.
We do home visitation where we talk about nutrition, core monitoring and talk anything relating to health and hygiene, she said.
She said that nutrition is the science of food.
Kezo informed that inadequate nutritional intake during adolescence can have serious consequences throughout the reproductive years and beyond.
“Poor nutrition during adolescence can impair the work capacity and productivity of adolescent boys and girls in their later years,” she said.
“Further, an undernourished girl is at the risk of developing complications during pregnancy and the chances of her giving birth to a low weight baby increases, thus perpetuating a vicious cycle of malnutrition and ill-health,” she said.
Kezo said that a balance diet is the food of all categories taken regularly in the desired proportion in our meal to fulfill all needs of the body.
She added that balanced diet prevents diseases and infections and also control weight.
Medical Officer (MO) Dr. Kethosino Thou also talked on “Health & Hygiene.”
‘Know legal rights’
Talking on the topic “Legal awareness on special laws,” legal consultant Apila Sangtam enlightened the women and students to know the legal rights.
She talked on Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Right to Education Act, 2009.
On Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, she said that the Act identifies different violence such as Physical Violence, Sexual Violence, Verbal and Emotional Violence and Economic Violence.
When such offences occurred, the first step is to lodge a complaint to the Protection Officer and accordingly basing on the report, the court will take cognizance. The proceeding of the Domestic Violence cases has to be on fast track mode, she said.
On Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, she said that the Act lays down stringent punishment for the perpetrators that committed offence against the children below the age of 18.
Various provisions such as child friendly courts, compensations, medical facilities are made available to the victims, she said.
Further, Apila said the Right to Education Act 2009 basically gives provision to all the children upto 14 years of age to have free and compulsory education irrespective of caste, race, sex and place of birth.
She stressed on the need to implement the Act and apply all the provisions.
She told the students to dial ChildLine number 1098 in case they come across any offence around to get support system.
Apila also asked anyone in need of help to dial Women Helpline 181 to address issue of distress women and destitute women.
Briefing the background of Jo Foundation Inclusive School, Daniel Thong said that the school was started in 2010 and today, it house 315 students with 43 staff.
Bodeno S.Colo, secretary NSCW also present at the programme.
The programme was led by NSCW member Kekhrienuo Meyase while vote of thanks was proposed by NSCW member Akokla Longchar.
