"Realizing aspirations of the adolescent girls through art and one to one interaction with Senior officials" was the core focus for the International Day of the Girl Child observed at Jaipur, Rajasthan by the Directorate of Women Empowerment , Department of Women and Child Development in partnership with UNFPA and UNICEF. 70 adolescent girls from the different districts of Rajasthan participated in the two day event from 10th to 11th October 2017 and went through a series of creative art workshops, skits and songs to enable them to articulate their aspirations and dreams through different art forms.

 

 

The adolescent girls took part in the art workshop to draw their aspirations on the walls of the Directorate of Women Empowerment office at Jaipur . The paintings were displayed at the Women Empowerment office, which articulated their dreams and aspirations. In the evening, a one to one interaction with the adolescent girls was ​organized with Ms. Rolli Singh (Secretary , Women and Child Development), Ms.Richa Khoda, (Commissioner,Women Empowerment), Ms.Nisha Meena (Additional Director Women Empowerment) Dr.Jagdish (Assistant Director Beti Bachao Beti Padhao). 

 

Among the adolescent girls were those who were affected by child marriage, some who have dropped out of the school and a few whose parents stopped them from pursuing higher education or taking sports as a career. The girls also narrated their experience of how they were married at an early age and the difficulties they are facing. Secretary,WCD appreciated their boldness in sharing their experiences and directed the officials to provide the needful support for these girls.

 

UNFPA  and UNICEF officials, representatives of NGOs CECOEDECON, Jatan and Jeevanashram also participated in the two day workshop.