Rodrigues launches action plan for gender sensitization

Chandigarh, May 20 (UNI) Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Union Territory Administrator, General (Retd.) S F Rodrigues today launched an 'Action Plan for Gender Sensitization and Removing Girl Child Discrimination' at an impressive function here.

Mrs Jean Rodrigues, eminent social activists, municipal councilors,philanthropists, medical professionals, members of teaching fraternity, presidents of various NGOs and senior officers of the Administration were present on the occasion.

It may be recalled that two major programmes of Maternal and Child Health and Child Protection had been recently launched in the Union Territory and were being implemented.

In his address on the occasion, General Rodrigues impressed upon the participants the need to show care, concern, compassion and deep involvement in this gender equality programme and work collectively for narrowing down the gap and discrimination between male and female child.

He said that there was a need for mass movement to educate the people about the unethical practice of female foeticide and activate social groups to sensitize those having preference for male children. He referred to the Nawanshahr model, which is a successful experiment of people's participation in bringing about an improvement in the sex ratio in a short time.

Mrs Raji P. Srivastava, Special Secretary, Finance, and the nodal officer of the project gave presentation and the blue print of the Action Plan.

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