by Brother Jittin Mathew and Eustace Fernandes
MUMBAI, SEP 10, 2018: The importance of a girl child was in focus on September 8, the Feast of Our Lady of Nativity, at Borivali-based Bosco Boys Home.
The morning assembly set the tone for celebrations as the management, staff, and students came together to promote awareness on the welfare of a girl child and to commemorate 'International Girl Child day'.
The purpose of addressing the issue was to make the boys learn to honour girls and to protect them. It is the duty of the society to raise the consciousness of each person towards girl children and the need to respect them.
The programme began with a short prayer service wherein Annie Dias, a medical nurse, invited boys to pray for their mothers, sisters, and grandmothers. Dias shared an insight into the role of a single mother and how she brings up her child by overcoming all obstacles. She helped make children conscious of the significance of the girl child in India.
"Girl children face discrimination at home and in school. They do not believe that they are entitled to equal opportunities, it is very essential for the girls to access their full potential. They should have a safe and enabling environment. They should be aware of all their legal rights and the facts of life," Dias said.
The boys were also told about the nine titles of The Virgin Mary, different roles of Mother Mary, and how she comes to help her devotees. A power point presentation and virtual skit highlighted the meaning of the girl child and her achievements.
Datta then highlighted stories of notable achievement of women like Savitribai Phule. He also spoke about how Social Welfare and Child Development have been doing their best not only to create a friendly environment for the girl child but also to save the girl child.
"Every year the Ministry of Women aim at creating awareness towards improving child sex ratio in the country, and to ensure that every girl child is given a chance to outshine," Datta said.
Eustace Fernandes, the educational in charge, made the boys aware about the welfare scheme of the government for the benefit of girls like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme. A recent survey claimed that more than five lakh girls are killed in India every year.
In the group discussion, the students of standard nine and ten stated that it was time for girls and women to speak up for their fundamental rights of education, healthcare, equality and human rights bestowed upon them by the Constitution.
Rahul Gowda, from standard nine, said, "Girls should be given equal opportunities to progress. They should not be deprived of any basic rights which are required for their progress. The society should give equal rights in all spheres for the girl child to develop. Until and unless they feel empowered from inside and take a stand to claim their due rights, one can't expect any drastic change in their position in society."
Sumit Sonkar, from standard ten, added, "One who does crime on a girl is a coward, and the girl has right to express her voice against any injustice done to her by the society."
