January 24 is the National Girl Child Day and the International Day of Education. Such national and international days are observed as a reminder of the cause it tries to achieve and to evaluate the tasks accomplished in addition to providing a way ahead. Interestingly, this day is an intersection of empowerment of girl child through quality education.
It is my strong belief that education as the third eye of a child enables and empowers men and women to take better control of their lives. Girls’ education is the cornerstone for progress and empowerment, economic, social, psychological and structural. Without education, the most important element of our happy existence, self-esteem and dignity, is at a low. Girls have to be empowered to empower a nation and chart its way towards development.
Under the aegis of ‘Kanyakiran’, a flagship initiative of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) and the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), we aim to build a safe environment with zero tolerance to sexual violence in Odisha.
This idea conceived, ideated and envisioned by me in 2016 has now culminated into a movement. For the last five years, under the banner of ‘Kanyakiran’, awareness camps, workshops and sensitisation programmes have been organised across all districts and blocks in the State.
This year, we are conducting awareness programmes with the tagline ‘Mein Padhungi, Mein Aage Badhungi’, symbolising how education uplifts an individual. This sensitisation programme is being conducted in all districts and all the major towns of Odisha. The meetings will be graced by eminent personalities who have expertise in the subject and rich experiences. Girls with top matric percentage in the district will be felicitated. A national webinar on ‘Educating Girl Child for Building an Equitable Society’ will be conducted with resource persons like Dr Smita Premchander, Head, SAMPARK and Adjunct Professor, IIM-A and Mr Suryamani Roul, Veteran Development Professional. Padma Shri Dr Sunitha Krishnan, founder, Prajwala, will address as keynote speaker. Girls who have broken the stereotype and carved a niche for themselves and uplifted other girls will be felicitated at the function.
The campaign that kick-starts on the National Girl Child Day will have activities, workshops and summits throughout the year to drive in non-negotiable, zero tolerance towards sexual harassment and abuse to women and girl child under the banner of Kanyakiran.
(Dr Samanta is founder, KIIT, KISS and Kanyakiran)