Sikkim celebrates International Day of Girl Child

Govt committed to women empowerment: CM

GANGTOK, (IPR): Women and Child Development Department (WCDD) celebrated ‘International Day of Girl Child’ with the theme, ‘Girls Vision for the Future,’ graced by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang as the chief guest at Chintan Bhawan here today.

The programme had the presence of Sonam Lama, minister of Ecclesiastical, Public Health Engineering, and Water Resources departments, Puran Kumar Gurung, minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Fisheries and Horticulture departments, Nar Bahadur Dahal, minister of Roads and Bridges department, Pamin Lepcha, advisor, Social Welfare department and WCDD, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Normit Lepcha, secretary WCDD, heads of various departments, and students from schools and colleges.

The Chief Minister, in his address, congratulated WCDD, for successfully organising an impactful programme.

The State government has been making tremendous strides in empowering women through various initiatives. The State has implemented several flagship programs, including Ama Sasaktikaran Yojana, which provides funds to mothers; the fund under this scheme shall be disbursed before Diwali this year symbolizing the empowerment of women akin to the reverence for Goddess Lakshmi, the Chief Minister stated.

Another notable program is Bahini Yojana, focused on the development and well-being of the girl child.

In addition to these programs, the Chief Minister accentuated various initiatives launched by the government to support women's health and economic independence. For instance, more than 500 couples have benefitted from Vatsalaya Scheme wherein financial assistance up to Rs. 3 lakh to Sikkimese couples without children, specifically catering to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments is provided.

Under Sishu Samriddhi Yojana, the State government makes a fixed deposit of Rs 10,008 in the name of a newborn, irrespective of the economic status of the parents, which can be withdrawn when the child turns 18, promoting their education and development.

The Chief Minister informed that the government's commitment to women's empowerment is also reflected in its leadership with the first female Deputy Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Raj Kumari Thapa. The State's efforts have created a supportive environment where women can thrive, and their dedication and sincerity are recognized and valued.

Addressing the programme, Pamin Lepcha, expressed her gratitude for celebrating the incredible achievements of girls and women. She firmly assured how girls have the power to change and transform the society. She underscored the event as a key global movement to celebrate girls.

Normit Lepcha, in her address, pointed out the main aim for societies to provide equal opportunities for both men and women. She focused on few of the issues faced by a girl child, like, gender inequality & violence, child marriage and right to education.

Earlier, Bandana Rai, additional secretary, WCDD, in her address welcomed everyone in the celebration of a girl child. She stressed on the vision to protect women and to give them equal opportunities in order to do their best for making the future bigger and much better.

Likewise, Sonam Lhamu Bhutia, joint director, WCDD, presented the felicitation part of the programme, wherein Mangan district was once again felicitated as the pioneer of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’. The Mangan district had previously been felicitated for exemplary performance in effective community engagement under ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme by the Prime Minister of India at Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan on March 8, 2018.

She further spoke on empowering the girl child through Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, which involves, felicitating girl child below the age of 10 years, deposit of amount Rs 10000 in her name, and maturity of the deposit after 21 years of opening the account.

During the programme, three students were felicitated to empower girl child under Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna - Ugen Laden Bhutia, Enchey Sr Secondary School; Tsesang Dong, Modern Sr Secondary School; and Florrin Rai, Mayal Lyang CCI, Namchi

Similarly, three students were felicitated to empower a girl child, under Public Provident Fund - Neha Biswakarma, Bojoghari Sr Secondary School; Ismarika Gurung, Palzor Namgyal Girl School; and Jyoti Keshari, Deorali Girls Sr Secondary School.

The programme also witnessed cultural dance performances which added colour to the event.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Navita Pradhan, joint secretary, WCDD.