A One Day Adolescence Girls' Convention was organized by the District Children & Women Cell, Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh in collaboration with Dibrugarh University and supported by the UNICEF, Assam on 14th May, 2016 at Dibrugarh University. 600 adolescent girls from various tea gardens of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sibasagar participated in the four special sessions held simultaneously The faculty members along with the students of the Centre for Women’s Studies of Dibrugarh University coordinated the sessions.
At Centre for Women’s Studies Conference Hall, a session on Opportunities for Higher Education was held where the faculty members of the Centre explained to the girls about the different aspects and possibilities of education at 10+ and 10+2 levels. Dissemination of information took place followed by an interactive session in which the girls were given knowledge on various courses like Higher Secondary in different schemes, ITI training courses like Hair and Skin Care, Video Editing, B.A./B.Sc/B.Com courses in different subjects, BBA, BCA, B.A. in Performing Arts, etc. under Dibrugarh University, B.Sc Nursing, Paramedical courses, courses of the Distance Education Directorate of the University etc. Information on different scholarship schemes provided by the government and Dibrugarh University was also given along with the different Study Centres where they can avail these opportunities within the Dibrugarh district.
At Rangghar, a session on Nutrition and Public Health was organised by the UNICEF, Assam where different stalls demonstrating cooking of Nutritious and Healthy Foods, Art and Crafts, Public Health and Hygiene, etc, were put up. The girls were divided into groups of 6-7 and were given hands on training in different spheres like cooking, education, art and craft etc. The girls were also provided with free iron tablets and sanitary napkins. Information was provided on various issues through attractive posters.
At the Aniruddha Deva Bhawan, a session on Child Protection was held in which the girls were sensitized about various issues of security and problems like Child Labour, Child Trafficking, Sexual Abuse, Corporal Punishment, etc. Emergency helpline Numbers of different organisations like Police, Hospitals, NGOs, etc were given to them.
At the Indira Miri Conference Hall, a session was held on Health, Nutrition, Sanitation and Hygiene facilitated by members from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh.. Through power point presentations the girls were taught the effectiveness of cleanliness and hygiene, especially during menstruation. They were also given knowledge on nutritious food and nutritious diet. The girls were divided into groups and were taught the effectiveness of team work. The idea was to demonstrate team spirit and unity and support to one another.
The concluding function of the One Day Convention was held in the University Auditorium Rangghar where Professor Ratan Kotokey, Principal of Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh was the Chief Guest. Mr. Sujoy Majumdar, IAS, Advisor, UNICEF, Mr. M.S. Manivannan, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh, and Mr. Bir Bikram Gogoi, Superintendent of Police, Dibrugarh were among the other distinguished guest who were present in the function. Professor A.K. Buragohain, Vice Chancellor, Dibrugarh University appreciated the collaborative effort in organising the convention specially for the adolescent girls of the tea community and called upon the organisers to continue such programmes in many other parts of the States. Mr. Majumdar and Mr. Manivannan also addressed the gathering. Mr. Gogoi emphasised upon creating awareness about Child Protection and Child Rights in his speech. Professor Borkotokey in his address stressed upon the aspects of nutrition and hygiene amongst the adolescent girls for good health.
The participating girl students presented a cultural performance in the concluding function.
