International Day of the Girl celebrated worldwide with an annual campaign with girls to amplify their voices and stand up for their rights. Theme of this year was, “My voice, our equal future.”
On the occasion of the International Day of Girl Child 2020, the Department of Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha, launched Advika, a new programme for the State’s adolescent girls.
The programme was launched online by Tukuni Sahu, Minister Women and Child Development.
Adivika is an initiative of the State for the development and empowerment of adolescent girls between the ages of 10 and 19 years. It will be implemented through the Anganwadi centres across State.
Advika contains the Anganwadi Pocketbook for Adolescents, Multimedia Package, Kishori Kalender and Frequently Asked Questions.
She also mentioned different initiatives that have already been implemented by the department. She mentioned that girls are the goddess on earth. We should respect, love and care for them.
Speaking at the launch event, Ms. Anu Garg, Principal Secretary of the Department, elaborated that Advika renewed the State government towards the adolescent girls.
The programme is about building life skills among girls by exposing them to essential topics for them to deal with the day-to-day challenges of life.
Girls, especially those out of school, generally come to the Anganwadi Centres to receive their nutrition supplements.
Under Advika, all girls would gather at the Anganwadi centre to attend learning sessions in an enjoyable way. It would also appear as a podium to connect girls with various government welfare programmes.
A 12 months calendar of sessions covers topics of Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health, nutrition, safety and well-being, rights and entitlements, gender-based violence, financial literacy, marriage and relationship.
A resource package consisting of short films frequently asked questions, and critical messages have been produced to make the sessions interesting for girls.
