A mass campaign to create awareness of atrocities against girls and women will be launched in connection with the National Girl Child Day observance on January 24, Minister for Social Justice K.K. Shylaja has said.
This campaign would be held in association with a health campaign called Campaign 12 for detection of anaemia among girls.
It would include awareness programmes among adolescent children and families.
Exploitation and harassment of girls through sight or touch would be strictly dealt with, the Minister said. Security of girls at home would also be ensured, she said.
She was speaking after inaugurating ‘Varnachirakukal,’ a first-of-its-kind festival for identifying and promoting talents of children from 20 children’s homes across the State. The three-day festival is being organised by the Women and Child Development Department at the grounds of Government Model Higher Secondary School for Boys, Chala.
Nearly 800 students are taking part in 20 competitions across four venues as part of the festival.
The Minister said the festival would be held every year under the same title.
The government was considering conducting a sports meet on similar lines, she added. She gave away the Ujjawala Balyam awards to 14 children, one from each district, who displayed exceptional talents in various fields.
The award comprised a purse of ₹25,000, a certificate, and a trophy.
Eight children who had won national awards in various categories were also felicitated on the occasion. The Minister spoke about Balanidhi, a fund to be raised from the public for meeting education, health, welfare, and other requirements of children. Singer K.C. Chithra will be the brand ambassador of the project.
Referring to awards for the best children’s home, the Minister said the homes should be modern, child-friendly, clean and hygienic, and help promote children’s talents.
Video message
A video message from Nobel prize winner Kailash Satyarthi was telecast on the occasion. In his message, Mr. Satyarthi said Kerala had taken big steps for welfare and rehabilitation of children.
However, child sexual abuse continued to be a problem in the country. Go door to door, go village to village, talk to your friends, so that the State could be rid of the problem, he said.
