SQC: SAVE, “Students Uniting Against Violence” Awareness and Support Program

According to our scheduled plan on 2^nd June 2070, eight members of SQC Elevate along with the facilitators Mrs. Sarita Dewan and Mr. Nirajan Adhikari went to Shree Saraswati Primary School to conduct our Awareness & Support Program, accompanied by fifteen SQC volunteers of class IX.

We departed from our school at around 10:45 am and reached the venue at 11:15 am. We received a warm welcome by the students and teachers of Shree Saraswati Primary School. We put up posters related to our theme on the walls of the school.

As per our target group, thirty girl students of 12-16 years were ready for the program, we had awareness program against women violence and sanitation kit as support for them. The principal of the school Mrs. Indira Mahat was present there as the invited guest along with other teachers.

First, our SQC facilitator Mr. Nirajan Adhikari presented the details of our project, followed by the introduction of SQC members to the participants.

Our team leader Ms. Anshuka Rani Das gave speech on the status of women in Nepal. She highlighted on some of the culturally and socially sanctioned evil practices, that help to discriminate women in Nepalese society such as dowry, branding women as witches and torturing them, Deuki Pratha (practice of offering girls to temples), Chhaupadi Pratha (practice of secluding girls/women during menstrual period and spending those days in cow-sheds) etc.

Next Mr. Ayush Thapa shared his views on why violence against women exists in Nepal. He pointed out that, patriarchy that prevails in our society is the root cause for the discrimination of women. From the time immemorial, to establish their dominance and gain privileges, men stressed that women are physically weak.

Then Ms. Asmita Ghimire discussed the types of violence committed against women and its effects. According to her, some of the most common forms of violence against women are domestic violence, sexual harassment, abusing etc. These are dire consequences for girls lose self-esteem, suffer insecurity etc.

Next, Ms. Asma Pun talked about menstruation and care during menstrual period. She informed about the basic things, which help to reduce pain during menstruation. She also stressed on the importance of eating proper diet and doing light exercise. She gave tips on reducing menstrual cramps.

There was a demonstration by Ms. Manisha Ranabhat, a black belt 3rd Dan in Shito-Ryo Karate. She presented simple, yet effective karate moves for self –defense. The students from Saraswati School took active participation in the demonstration. This demonstration was considered beneficial and interesting to the girls who live in vulnerable circumstances in the Slum.

Manisha Ranabhat showing self defense techniques

Then, it was Ms. Shiska Raut’s turn to inform the girls on how to use the materials provided to them in the sanitary kits such as Dettol Disinfectant soap, crepe bandage, simple medicines like Sancho etc.

Then Ms. Nikita Yadav and Ms. Esha Rajbhandari talked about the importance of primary health care like washing hands, protecting foods with coverings etc. They even demonstrated the proper way to wash our hands.

Mrs. Sarita Dewan expressed gratitude on behalf of Little Angels’ School. She expressed her views that, such projects not only help the needy target group, but also generate the feelings of volunteerism, leadership, shouldering social responsibilities among youths. She also said that this project is the beginning, and hopes such programmes will be conducted by the students of Manohara School after learning about it. Mrs. Indira Mahat thanked SQC Elevate for the effort for the awareness program and helping the girls of her school.