According to our scheduled
plan on 2nd 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.
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| 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.
Finally Ms. Aashma Poudel
extended the vote of thanks to everyone who had helped us to successfully
complete this phase of our project SAVE.
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| The team of LAS |
