UDUPI: The central govt introduced the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) scheme to eliminate gender inequality in society, and it must be effectively implemented, said Udupi-Chikmagaluru MP Kota Shrinivas Poojary.
He was speaking at the district-level workshop organised at the Dr V.S. Acharya Auditorium, Rajatadri on Saturday.
The event was organised by the district administration, zilla panchayat, District Legal Services Authority, Women and Child Development Department, and the Labour Department to mark 10 years of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative.
The workshop aimed to raise awareness about laws benefiting women and girls, as well as the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act of 1976, for officials at the district and taluk levels.
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme was introduced a decade ago to eliminate female foeticide, provide quality education and other essential facilities to girls, and ensure they lead dignified lives while maintaining gender balance in society. The MP urged officials to work towards completely eradicating the bonded labour system and ensuring a dignified life for every individual.
Deputy Commissioner Vidya Kumari K administered an oath against bonded labour and said that while the gender ratio is declining, Udupi district presents an encouraging picture. She stressed the need to nurture girls on an equal footing with boys, rather than viewing them as burden.
Providing equal opportunities in all fields, particularly for girls from rural and marginalised communities, is essential. Education plays a key role in securing equal opportunities, and district- and taluk-level officials should take full advantage of the workshop, she said.
She said that bonded labour is a social evil and that awareness must be raised at the grassroots to eradicate such practices. Employing children in hazardous industries like firecracker manufacturing and stone quarrying is an offence. Children should be allowed to experience their childhood and receive an education, DC said.
To ensure the safety of working women, the govt has already mandated the formation of Internal Complaint Committees in all govt and private offices, factories, and industrial establishments with ten or more employees.
Vaikuntha Baliga Law College Director Nirmala Kumari, Advocate Pradeep PJ, and Assistant Legal Aid Protector Srinivas Upadhya participated as resource persons. The workshop was attended by DySP DT Prabhu, District Labour Officer Kamal Shah Altaf Ahmad, and others.
