Press Release
Press Release from Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department Pakyong District
Information & Public Relations Department
Pakyong, October 28: The Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department Pakyong District, organised a special awareness programme at ARK Academy School, Upper Namcheybong, Pakyong, to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child 2026 under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign. The programme was centred on the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the rights of girls, promoting their education and ensuring equal opportunities for their growth and development.
The programme aimed to raise awareness among students about the rights, safety, dignity and empowerment of the girl child, with particular emphasis on preventing child marriage, promoting menstrual hygiene and creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for girls.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Mrs. Dikit Lepcha, Deputy Director-cum-SWO,Pakyong District. In her address, she highlighted the significance of the International Day of the Girl Child and emphasised that every girl deserves access to education, protection, healthcare, dignity and equal opportunities. She encouraged students to recognise their potential, pursue their aspirations with confidence and contribute towards building a society where girls are respected, protected and empowered. She also stressed the collective responsibility of families, educational institutions and the community in preventing child marriage and ensuring the overall well-being of girls.
Ms. Kusum Sharma, Gender Specialist, served as the Master of Ceremony and coordinated the proceedings. The awareness sessions were conducted by Ms. Chong Choki Bhutia, Centre Administrator, One Stop Centre (OSC), and Mr. Karma Nawang Shenga, Social Welfare Inspector. The resource persons sensitised the students on issues relating to the protection and empowerment of girls, their rights and the importance of preventing child marriage. The sessions encouraged students to understand the consequences of child marriage and the need to support girls in continuing their education and making informed decisions about their future.
Ms. Phurdeeki Sherpa,MTS ,international and national kickboxing player, taught the students self-defence techniques. The demonstration was highly practical, allowing students to learn the techniques hands-on. This will help girls protect themselves in many ways should the need arise.
As part of the programme, sanitary napkins were distributed to girl students to promote menstrual hygiene and awareness. The initiative highlighted the importance of menstrual health, personal hygiene and access to essential menstrual hygiene products. It also aimed to encourage girls to approach menstruation with confidence and without stigma, while reinforcing the importance of awareness, proper hygiene practices and a supportive school environment.
The programme also featured enthusiastic participation by girl students in various extracurricular activities, including a quiz competition, spell bee and dance competition. The quiz and spell bee competitions were conducted by ARK Academy School teachers, Mr. Menlom Lepcha and Mr. Dakim Lepcha, providing students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, language skills and confidence. The activities added an interactive element to the programme and encouraged students to participate, learn and express themselves.
Prizes were distributed to the winners in recognition of their performance, while tokens of appreciation were presented to the girl students as a gesture of encouragement and support. Ms. Tshering Ongmu Lepcha,DEO conducted the prize distribution ceremony.
On the occasion, Ms. Manisha Koirala, Principal, ARK Academy School, shared words of wisdom with the students and encouraged them to remain focused on their education, develop self-confidence and work towards achieving their goals. She also underscored the importance of education in shaping the future of young girls and inspiring them to become confident, independent and responsible individuals.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Sanchita Sharma, Accounts Assistant, She expressed gratitude to the school management, principal, teachers, resource persons, participating students and all those who contributed to the successful organisation of the programme.
Through this initiative, WCSC&DWD, Pakyong District, reaffirmed its commitment to promoting girls’ education, protecting the rights and dignity of the girl child, preventing child marriage and raising awareness about menstrual hygiene. The programme also reinforced the objectives of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign by encouraging collective action towards building a society in which every girl is safe, educated, respected and empowered to realise her full potential.
The programme aimed to raise awareness among students about the rights, safety, dignity and empowerment of the girl child, with particular emphasis on preventing child marriage, promoting menstrual hygiene and creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for girls.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Mrs. Dikit Lepcha, Deputy Director-cum-SWO,Pakyong District. In her address, she highlighted the significance of the International Day of the Girl Child and emphasised that every girl deserves access to education, protection, healthcare, dignity and equal opportunities. She encouraged students to recognise their potential, pursue their aspirations with confidence and contribute towards building a society where girls are respected, protected and empowered. She also stressed the collective responsibility of families, educational institutions and the community in preventing child marriage and ensuring the overall well-being of girls.
Ms. Kusum Sharma, Gender Specialist, served as the Master of Ceremony and coordinated the proceedings. The awareness sessions were conducted by Ms. Chong Choki Bhutia, Centre Administrator, One Stop Centre (OSC), and Mr. Karma Nawang Shenga, Social Welfare Inspector. The resource persons sensitised the students on issues relating to the protection and empowerment of girls, their rights and the importance of preventing child marriage. The sessions encouraged students to understand the consequences of child marriage and the need to support girls in continuing their education and making informed decisions about their future.
Ms. Phurdeeki Sherpa,MTS ,international and national kickboxing player, taught the students self-defence techniques. The demonstration was highly practical, allowing students to learn the techniques hands-on. This will help girls protect themselves in many ways should the need arise.
As part of the programme, sanitary napkins were distributed to girl students to promote menstrual hygiene and awareness. The initiative highlighted the importance of menstrual health, personal hygiene and access to essential menstrual hygiene products. It also aimed to encourage girls to approach menstruation with confidence and without stigma, while reinforcing the importance of awareness, proper hygiene practices and a supportive school environment.
The programme also featured enthusiastic participation by girl students in various extracurricular activities, including a quiz competition, spell bee and dance competition. The quiz and spell bee competitions were conducted by ARK Academy School teachers, Mr. Menlom Lepcha and Mr. Dakim Lepcha, providing students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, language skills and confidence. The activities added an interactive element to the programme and encouraged students to participate, learn and express themselves.
Prizes were distributed to the winners in recognition of their performance, while tokens of appreciation were presented to the girl students as a gesture of encouragement and support. Ms. Tshering Ongmu Lepcha,DEO conducted the prize distribution ceremony.
On the occasion, Ms. Manisha Koirala, Principal, ARK Academy School, shared words of wisdom with the students and encouraged them to remain focused on their education, develop self-confidence and work towards achieving their goals. She also underscored the importance of education in shaping the future of young girls and inspiring them to become confident, independent and responsible individuals.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Sanchita Sharma, Accounts Assistant, She expressed gratitude to the school management, principal, teachers, resource persons, participating students and all those who contributed to the successful organisation of the programme.
Through this initiative, WCSC&DWD, Pakyong District, reaffirmed its commitment to promoting girls’ education, protecting the rights and dignity of the girl child, preventing child marriage and raising awareness about menstrual hygiene. The programme also reinforced the objectives of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign by encouraging collective action towards building a society in which every girl is safe, educated, respected and empowered to realise her full potential.
