Under the aegis of Lok Samiti and Asha Trust, hundreds of girls took out an awareness rally against gender discrimination in Upwar village under Sewapuri block here on Friday. Apart from girls, a large number of village women also participated in the rally. During the procession, the participants were raising slogans appealing to the people that no one should be insulted and boys and girls should be treated equally. They were also carrying placards in their hands raising their voice against female feticide, child marriage and demanding education to the girls. Later, Balika Mahotsav (girls’ festival) was organised in the village. The programme was inaugurated by gram pradhan Ramesh Seth, Lok Samiti convenor Nandlal Master and the women of the participating groups by lighting the lamp.
On the occasion, the girls performed various cultural programmes on gender discrimination and boy-girl inequality. Students from many nearby villages participated in the event and expressed their views against violence against women. Nandlal Master said our society is still discriminating between girls and boys and due to which girls are killed in the womb itself, as a result the number of girls is decreasing day by day. “There are only 902 girls against 1,000 boys at the age of six years in UP and an average of two and a half lakh daughters are going missing in the state every year, which is a matter of concern,” he added. Kishori Sangathan coordinator Soni said that under this campaign, the girls of the organisation have launched a public awareness campaign in every village. A group of girls is being formed to end dowry, child marriage, female foeticide and violence against women prevalent in the society.
Gram pradhan Ramesh Seth said we will have to raise our voice against all kinds of discrimination against women. The programme was conducted by Asha Maurya while Pushpa welcomed the participants. The function was presided over by Rajkumari while the vote of thanks was proposed by Sheela. The event was also attended by Anita, Sheela, Rambachan, Shivkumar, Shyamsundar Master, Saroj, Sunita, Naaz, Kareena, Jyoti, Savitri, Geeta, Aanchal, Sanu, Palak, Muskaan, Tanya, Nikita, Archana etc.