Guwahati: Today the girl child is one of the most helpless members of the society. There is a need to protect, provide and care for the girls more than ever.
A webinar entitled ‘Our Daughters Our Pride’ was jointly organised by United Christian Forum North East India (UCFNEI), Hope Charitable Foundation (HCF), and North East Solidarity (NeS) on October 3 highlighted the need of society to play an active role by creating a conducive environment, socially, morally, and educationally for the girl child to grow and succeed, protecting them at all times.
The panellists and participants recognised the fact that the trafficking of girls from the North East is a matter of grave concern and that there is considerable work to be done to address and prevent it.
Mr. Allen Brooks, spokesperson of UCFNEI, in his welcome address said, ‘COVID-19 has restricted travel, however the online platforms are widely used by traffickers to prey on young girls. The traffickers befriend the young girls, buy them gifts and make them feel special to have someone care about them’.
The welcome address was followed by two technical presentations on the topic by Mr. T. Jose Kurian from Chennai on Social Media – Boon or Bane, and by Mr. Mauris Noronha, Advocate Vasti Rani Barik and David Acharya from Campus Crusade for Christ gave articulated responses to champion the cause of our girls from North East India.
The webinar aimed to expand the leadership capacity of women, girls and youths in upholding the dignity of girl children in North East India. This was also to propagate healthy living practices in the society with a caution to use the of social media platforms.
In the words of B.J Syiemlieh, “Through our work, we hope to inspire solidarity to live in a world where girls can live healthy and vibrant lives free from violence, coercion and exploitation”.
The Chairman was Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil, the President of UCFNEI and the moderator was Rev. B. J Syiemlieh. The invocation prayer was recited by Mr. A. K. Goldsmith. The welcome songs were sung by Miss. Aradhana and Mr. Mukul Bora.