National Girl Child Day Observed in Kandhamal with District-Level Stakeholder Consultation Meeting

Kandhamal : On the occasion of National Girl Child Day, 24th January 2025, a district-level stakeholder consultation meeting was organized at Gandhi Smruti Bhavan, Phulbani, by District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Kandhamal &Humara Bachpan Trust.
The event witnessed the participation of around 200 individuals, including government officials, child protection experts, school and college students, community members, and representatives from various organizations. The Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Phulbani, was the chief guest, and other notable attendees included the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), Protection Officer (PO), Chairperson and members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) member, and the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO). The consultation meeting emphasized the need for a coordinated approach among all stakeholders to make Kandhamal a child-marriage-free district.
Humara Bachpan Trust (HBT), a not-for-profit organization, is implementing the ‘Access to Justice’ program in partnership with Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF). This initiative is focused on eradicating child marriage and protecting children from trafficking and child labor. Operational since June 2024, the program spans 50 villages in five Gram Panchayats across the Raikia, Tikabali, Phiringia, and Phulbani blocks of Kandhamal district
To further engage the community, various competitions were organized for school and college students, including Mehendi design, Fancy Dress, Quiz, and Passing the Ball. The winners were awarded prizes to recognize their talents and efforts.
To mark the 10th anniversary of the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” initiative, a signature campaign was held to promote the importance of educating and protecting girls being marriage at an early age. A millet stall was also set up, where participants, especially young girls, enjoyed healthy millet-based snacks.
Additionally, five outstanding girl children were felicitated for their remarkable achievements in fields such as sports, academics, performing-arts,and community-level initiatives, including raising awareness to prevent child marriage. The consultation meeting ended with stakeholders agreeing to work together to eliminate child marriage and ensure the safety and protection of children in Kandhamal district.