Shillong, Oct 31: Girls in schools of Meghalaya will soon be more equipped to protect themselves against some vicious elements in the society. Self-defence training programmes for girls will be rolled out in schools across rural and urban areas of the state.
Announcing this on Friday, Social Welfare department’s adviser Paul Lyngdoh said the self-defence training will be launched on a mission mode in coordination with Police and Sports and Youth Affairs department.
He also announced that the government will introduce four working women’s hostels in Shillong, Jowai, Ri-Bhoi, and Tura. The hostels aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for working women.
The department has also launched a dedicated 24×7 helpline, 181, for women facing domestic violence, aggression, and other issues.
“For women and problems of domestic violence, aggression against women etc., we would like through the media to share that there is a dedicated helpline that is 181 which is open 24×7 and any specific complaints or emergencies of violence against women, this number is accessible to all,” Lyngdoh said.
The government will upgrade and construct toilets in schools in collaboration with the DRDA and Education Department.
The Adviser also announced that sanitary pads, locally made, will be distributed regularly to adolescent girls in all schools, focusing on rural areas.
“In the last major conclave convened by the department, we have invited school kids to attend and there was also distribution of sanitary pads which are locally made, these will now be done on a regular basis. It will cover all schools across the state with special focus on adolescent girls and it will cover all rural areas.”
Admitting that “Because of the absence of these pads, number of girls even stay away from schools”, he mentioned about distribution of sanitary pads at a programme at Lariti.
The Women Helpline Work Station will be refurbished and upgraded within three months.
The department will record testimonies of beneficiaries of the 181 Women Helpline, procure vehicles for the helpline, and complete boundary fencing for One Stop Centres (OSCs) within specified timelines.
“Preparation of the testimonies of the 181 women helpline beneficiaries – these are women who have benefitted through our timely intervention and we will be recording their testimonies in order to further create awareness about this service. This will be achieved within a time span of three months,” he added.
