Orientation /Activation of women groups (Shakti)
A state resource group was constituted for organisation of women empowerment related activities. 35 selected members of gender resource group were got oriented by experts drawn from Punjab University Chandigarh. The services of state Resource group so oriented were utilised to orient district/block level functionaries. The members of the different Shakti groups at school level were also oriented on the following issues:
Female foeticide and decreasing sex ratio
Health and Hygiene.
Monitoring of Mid Day Meals programme at school level.
Active partnership in organisation of Bal Melas at cluster level.
Involvement of mothers resulted in the increase and effectiveness of school development related activities. Quality of Mid Day Meal improved due to active involvement of mothers in Mid Day Meal monitoring.
Training/Orientation/Meeting of VECs/MTAs
All the VECs are being oriented every year for school development activities. Monthly meetings of MTAs at school level are proving helpful in providing feedback of children activities at home to teachers. Student's progress is also shared with parents. This has helped in improving student's regular attendance in schools and also helped in improving their learning outcomes.
Skill Education
Education of different life skills have been introduced in various districts. It includes training in health and hygiene, carpet weaving, handicrafts, food processing, painting and self defence. State level initiative in Karate education was introduced in 40 selected schools of the Pradesh for girl students in the year 2006-07. This activity has also been taken up during 2007-08.
Karate Camp
A state level Karate camp was organised in Kangra in convergence with JUN-DO-KAN GOJU-RYU FEDERATION OF INDIA in which more than 200 girls from all the 40 schools where this skill is being imparted to the girls participated in the same. Higher level skills were developed in the girls during this camp.
Material For Women Groups
Child health, early detection of disabilities and pre school education forms the core of the text of the print material developed by SPO. This has been sent to schools for use at their end.
Teachers' training for gender sensitization
A teacher has not only to integrate children coming from different classes and sects but also deal with both girls and boys in actual classroom situation. Master trainers are oriented at state level for the same. All the teachers are being imparted gender sensitivity training during general teachers training. Reference material has been developed for training in gender and development which is being shared in different orientations and trainings.
Development of bias free curriculum
National curriculum framework-2005 was analyzed in gender perspective during series of workshops held at SCERT Solan. Inputs for modification have been provided for the same by state gender coordinator.
Provision of free text books for girls.
Free Text Books are being provided to all the girls right from class-I to VIII
MEENA Initiative
Meena Manches at cluster level are being activated. MEENA WEEK was celebrated in the entire state. As a culmination of it one day state level MEENA Utsav is being celebrated in the month of March,2008. Hundreds of girls from all corners of the state would be involved in this event.
Meena Utsav at state level and MEENA WEEK/Balika Saptah at Block and cluster level are being celebrated once in a year .Children, Parents, VECs, members of Mahila Mandal participated in this campaign. It has resulted in better understanding of girls' related issues and also more participation of girls in different co-curricular activities in schools.
Organization of International Women Day
International women day is being celebrated on 8th March. Selected groups of empowered women from different district will be invited to share their experiences among all participants.
Exposure Visits
The districts have undertaken exposure visits of girl students within and outside the district concerned. SPO has facilitated national exposure (Bharat Brahman) of nearly 60 girls students in March, 2008.The students would be visiting Chandigarh, Delhi, Udaipur and Ahamdabad. This will provide them a chance to observe diversity of culture and Indian heritage thereby widening their outlook.