PANAJI: Children’s Rights in Goa (CRG) had organised the Higher Secondary School gender champion programme on January 24 in art and culture lecture hall.
Higher Secondary School Gender Champions Promoting Gender Equality (HSGCPGE)” is a programme envisaged by CRG. CRG has executed the project of Gender Champions in 30 higher Secondary’s. Two Gender Champions (1 Girl and 1 Boy) were selected from each Higher Secondary. 15 higher secondaries each from North Goa and South Goa were invited.
The ultimate goal through CRG initiative is to empower the present young generation to make gender equality a reality in different stages walks of life and also help students to develop their analytical abilities through the platform of gender champions and to understand how they can translate the concept of gender equality in their own lives.
Best Gender Champion in North Goa was won by Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary School, Khadki, Valpoi and Best Gender Champion in South Goa was won by Fr.Agnel Multipurpose Higher Secondary School, Verna.
This competition was a platform for all the Gender Champions to come together and have a discussion on the important subject of Gender Equality as well as share their experiences while promoting gender equality in their respective Higher Secondary’s through the gender champions programme.
Gender champions did the presentation on programmes they organised such as poster competition, rangoli, cricket match for boys and girls, dahi handi for girls, essay writing competitions , debates , elongation competitions on issues to promote gender equality, respecting gender , sessions on menstrual myths , stereotypes , violence against girls/women. On the same bases the Best Higher Secondary Gender Champions was selected by the respected juries. Sangeeta Naik and Saiprasad Naik were the jury members for the competition.
Sagun Velip, director of art and culture who, was the chief guest for inaugural function stated that students should not take minor problems very seriously but they should overcome it in positive way.
Dr Radhika Naik, principal from Dempo College of Commerce and Economics, who was the chief guest for valedictory function expressed that both the boys and girls should respect each other. She also shared her own experience how she was discriminated in her personal life. She appreciated gender champion programme and suggested to continue this every year in respected higher secondaries.