The UT Administration has initiated a gender sensitisation programme in the Government schools of the city.
Under the awareness generation programme, the UT Social Welfare Department and its units are visiting different Government schools and have sensitised around 1,000 students till now. So far, 12 different Government schools of Chandigarh have been covered under the programme.
During the programme, DR Negi, project officer of Chandigarh Child and Women Development Corporation (CCWDC) made a presentation on Juvenile Justice Act. Negi explained how Juvenile Justice Act protects the children and their rights. He briefed the Act is intended to provide care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation of neglected and delinquent juveniles.
Haresh Sharma, programme manager, Union Territory Child Protection Society (UTCPS) addressed the students and explained as how their rights are important and what are the mechanisms to enforce them.
Addressing the issue of gender sensitisation, Sanjiv Gulati, project adviser of SRCW said gender sensitisation is the process of changing the stereotype mindset of men and women, a mindset that’s strongly believes that men and women are unequal. Gender sensitisation is an important part of life and should be taught right from the school level
Further he explained how you can change the mind set of people regarding these social issues and education is an important vehicle of social change and students especially children, can become important instrument in the process.
The children were also informed about the women rights and the helpline which is working 24 X 7 round the clock and the calls are promptly attended to.
The UT Department of Social Welfare and its units namely Union Territory Child Protection Society (UTCPS), State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) and Women and Child Helpline is organising awareness generation programme on the issues of Child Rights, Juvenile Justice Act 2000, Women and Child Helpline and Gender Sensitisation for the schools children. These awareness programmes started on July 9.