On May 22nd 2015, Centre for Social Research (CSR) facilitated a training session for the Anganwadi workers in Kurukshetra at the Red Cross Society. This training was an integral part of the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” project initiated by the central government to save the girl child and work towards gender equality through equal access to education. A team at CSR comprised of Dr. Manasi Mishra, Ms. Ragini Pant and Ms. Vinita Rawat constructed the manual that the training was based off of. Dr. Mishra who is the Head of Research Division at CSR conducted the training session. Ms. Gurbinder Malik, DO and Mr. Kulbeer Malik, Red Cross Society sat on the guest panel to witness and participate in the training of the 25 Anganwadi participants.
The training began with an emphasis on how to integrate and implement “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” schemes effectively to raise awareness surrounding the issues and ramifications of sex selection/determination practices. Dr. Mishra emphasized the need for exemplary organizational skills as the workers were to be held accountable for all discrepancies and failures of the project. She presented a chart to be utilized by the workers to ensure they have an appropriate institutional registration of each child born from ages 0-2 and 0-6.
In conjunction with the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” scheme there must be justice for those who commit such heinous acts against women and the girl child. As such, Dr. Mishra appealed to the workers to report such perpetrators to the District Administration so they may utilize the law to put an end to these atrocities. Dr. Mishra warned workers in persecuting pregnant women for registration purposes, as it is imperative to recognize the familial and social pressures placed upon the women to perform such practices.
Ms. Malik expressed her gratitude for the mutual partnership with CSR in their district and believes that with CSR’s aid, Kurkshetra will be able to improve its sex ratio. She emphasized the need to have toilets and proper sanitation available in every Anganwadi. In conjunction with the government scheme for gender equality all girls should go to school and there should be a celebration on the 24th of every month in honour of all the new girl children.
Dr. Mishra addressed the need of the sensitization of the community and of PRIs. Dr. Mishra concluded with a resource list of government schemes pertaining to the girl child so they are able to spread their new found knowledge through their IEC material. All questions and comments were addressed and appropriately answered by Dr. Mishra, thereby removing all doubt and empowering the workers to go forth and promote the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” scheme to alleviate discrimination and violence against the girl child.
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