A celebration of the achievements of girl students marked the National Girl Child Day programme organised in association with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Deparment of School Education, at AU Convocation Hall on Wednesday.
Five selected science exhibits made by girl students, that were adjudged winners in various State and national-level competitions, were displayed at the entrance of the venue.
A model of a water level controller through the use of cellphone technology made by girl students of ZP High School, Aganampudi, and solar powered multi-purpose agricultural machine by students of Balayogi Gurukulam Centre of Excellence, Mathurawada, drew the attention of visitors. Both the science models won the first prizes in State and national-level science competitions held over the past year.
HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, who was the chief guest on the occasion, gave away prizes to the winners of various competitions.
Stalls of Rishi Valley Rural Education Centre from Chittoor district, Karadi Path, an education firm working with schools across the State with their specialised language learning solutions programmes and a vocational skills exhibition of KGV Vidyalayam were also a part of the exhibition at the venue.
A host of programmes were held as part of National Girl Child Day celebrations at Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Centre for Women’s Studies, AU, held in collaboration with Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme (Andhra Pradesh).
Prof. K. Ram Mohan Rao, Principal, AU College of Arts and Commerce, who was the chief guest on the occasion, drew attention to the various forms of discrimination and violence encountered by girls and women from “womb to tomb”. Women should come forward and break the silence hindering their empowerment, he added. He also stressed on how to build safety nets for women in different spheres and said that social empowerment was more important than economic empowerment.
Prof. S. Sumitra, director of the centre, spoke on the substantial status of girls and women in the society and stressed on various ramifications of gender bias in the society which were still rampant. Rahimunnisa Begum, Co-Convenor of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme (Andhra Pradesh), explained the mission and objectives of the scheme.
She stressed on the importance of girl child education. Prof. B. Ratna Kumari, former director, highlighted the issues of gender inequality which were deep rooted in the society.
Later, she was felicitated for her works in the field of education and women empowerment. Prizes were distributed to the winners in elocution and skit competitions held on the theme save the girl child.
