“There is no tool for development more effective than the Empowerment of Women.”- Kofi Annan

The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated every year on October 11, on a global level to raise consciousness of our society towards the Rights and Dignity of girls all across the world. It is imperative that our young girls are made aware of their right to live in a world free of inequalities- a world where they are free to be who and what they choose to be. Carrying forward its mission to assist in the Empowerment of the Girl Child, St Joseph’s Sr. Sec. School, Sector 44-D, Chandigarh hosted and participated in multiple activities.

Working in tandem with the CCPCR to raise awareness about this noble cause, the girls of the Middle Block at St. Joseph’s participated in the ‘Run for Rights’ an initiative of the Girls India Project organised by the CCPCR on Monday, October 11,2021.The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries such as the Mayor of Chandigarh- Sh. Ravi Kant Sharma who was the Chief Guestas well as Olympic Shooter 2021, Ms. AnjumMoudgil, the Guest of Honour andSpecial Guests -Ms. PalikaArora PCS- Director School Education, Chandigarh Administration and Ms. Mannat, Child Rights Ambassador, CCPCR.

After the customary welcome of the Chief Guest, the gathering was addressed by Ms. Mannat, who highlighted the significant issues and challenges faced by girls and what all can be done for thefulfillmentof their Human Rights. This was followed by a Pledge by Ms AnjumMoudgil to ensure the implementation of the Rights of every girl child.

The run flagged off from the Lake, Sector 42 led by Ms. AnjumMoudgil and Ms. Mannat and concluded at the Sports Complex in Sector 42. Students had prepared Placards depicting the various Rights of the Girls. Accompanied by their Coordinator, Ms. Rani Pal and teachers, the Josephians sprinted along the route chanting Slogans, garnering great praise and applause from the spectators. Mrs. Harjinder Kaur, Chairperson of the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights was also generous in her praise for the Josephians’ fervor and passion in always stepping up for such worthy purposes.

Apart from that, in the Virtual Classroom Discussions, students shared their views on the gender inequalities faced by girls and how to bring about a change in the mind set of people by bringing awareness. The girls were looking dapper in their Pink Turbans that symbolized the power and dignity, hitherto associated only with men and proudly voiced their point of view while deliberating on their Rights. A video was also shown in the Middle as well as Senior Secondary Block that drove home the fact that change has to begin with us before we attempt to educate others. The NukkadNatakbased on the theme Gender Equalitywhich was enacted on the virtual platform was a power packed performance replete with nifty dialogues delivered with their usual panache.

The Josephians also received much appreciation from the Members of the School Management as well as the Principal who encouraged them to Stand up for their Rights. Principal Ms. Monica Chawla also said that it was pointless to educate girls if we cannot give them the freedom to practice what they learn through education. She concluded that the world is now cognizant of a momentous shift in the attitude towards Gender Equality and the best way to achieve our Goal of Empowering our Girls is to generate mass awareness.