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Commemoration of Girl Child Day was declared by the United Nations in 2012. The theme of this year is ‘Girls’ progress is Goal’s progresses’. The Gender Equity and Equality Cell of Eastern University, Sri Lanka wished to commemorate this day by a walk from the university to the nearest town, Chenkalady. It was decided as a community involvement programme to incorporate the schools, government organizations, non-government organizations, and the university community.

The cell for gender equity and equality was originated in EUSL for the first time and this concept should reach the public. Therefore, the cell decided to go to the community at first. The norm of the university is to prevent Sexual and Gender Based Violence and provide equal support to women. Therefore, it was decided to explore the concept to the society through the commemorational walk.

 

Process of the Programme

The cell invited the participants form the university – academic and non-academic, and administrative members to participate in this walk. The divisional secretariats, the zonal educational office, the schools, non-government organizations, especially women’s  organizations, and the consortium for NGOo were invited to participate in this commemorational walk. The cell visited these organizations and discussed the importance of this day and the standpoint of the university in this day. Every organization welcomed and supported the idea and reinforced via their presence on that day. The claims were on importance of the girl child’s education, easy access to the health and legal support. And, especially it was insisted on the avoidance of early marriage of the girl child and child labour.

 

On that Day

The university community with the officials and undergraduates, school children and teachers, divisional secretariat staff, women development societies, non-government organizations, members from NGO consortium and general public assembled at the entrance to the university with the posters.

The walk began at 9.30 am from the university entrance and went to the Chenkalady Central College playground around 10.15 am. On the way from the university, hand bills were issued to the community. A continuous announcement was made with the aid of the megaphone to give awareness to the public, business community, and the participants on the importance of girl child and progress of the girl child. 

Refreshments and water were provided to the participants throughout the walk.

The participants were approximately:

1.	School students and teachers	250
2.	University community (Academics, non-academics and administrative staff)	60
3.	Undergraduates	50
4.	Divisional Secretariats and staff – Koralaipattu South and Eravurpattu	50
5.	Women Organizations	50
6.	NGO consortium	50

 

Once participants assembled at the playground and the guest arrived at the ground, the deputy vice-chancellor. Dr. K.E Karunakaran welcomed the guests and the participants and explained the importance of the day. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. T.Jayasingam, addressed the gathering claborately stating the present situation of the girls, role of the university in this line, and the University’s move towards the development of this concept. The chief guest Mrs. P.S.M. Charles, the District Secretary delivered her speech. She insisted the development of the girl child and the way forward. With the vote of thanks from Mrs. F.B.Kennedy the programme adjourned.

The way forward

It was decided that this programme should not end with the walk, but it should have more measures to go forward.

A hand bill stating the ‘DO’ and ‘Don’t’ of the girl children should be prepared, printed and provided to the schools and the community to bring awareness, Display boards should be placed to provide awareness, and programmes on gender equity and equality to the undergraduates, school children and teachers should be conducted.