The Kohima District Administration, together with SANKALP‑District Hub for Empowerment of Women, Sakhi One Stop Centre and the Social Welfare Department, marked the International Day of the Girl Child at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Kohima.
The event, themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” sought to promote girls’ empowerment, amplify their voices and tackle discrimination and human‑rights challenges.
Deputy Commissioner B. Henok Buchem, chair of the District Level Committee for Mission Shakti, delivered the keynote. He stressed the importance of educating girls, noting that empowering a girl benefits her and future generations. He recalled his late mother’s pursuit of nursing, highlighting humility, service and sacrifice, and shared stories of vulnerable families, including a child orphaned by the pandemic and a single‑parent household. He urged participants to support such families through personal initiatives and government welfare schemes.
Buchem also highlighted the ongoing HPV vaccination drive to prevent cervical cancer, calling for greater public awareness. During technical sessions, Wapanginla Kichu outlined children’s fundamental rights and legal safeguards against child labour, sexual abuse and child marriage. Vimenu Richa, Centre Administrator of OSC Kohima and Master Child Marriage Prohibition Officer, spoke on enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the persistence of child marriage and labour. Advocate Sunjib Rana addressed the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, noting that over 70% of perpetrators are known to victims and urging schools to facilitate early detection, open dialogue, and for NGOs and the media to avoid obstructing legal procedures and protect victim identities.
The programme was chaired by EAC Kohima Ane Khieya, with a welcome address from Anyile Khamo, District Programme Officer for Mission Shakti. A special song by Medopheno, a Class 11 student, and a speech by Akhonuo Pfusenuo, a Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scholarship recipient, highlighted the theme. The event closed with a vote of thanks from Kesoneinuo, Gender Specialist at DHEW Kohima.
