Kohima, 16 September: The Department of School Education, under the Nagaland Education Project-The Lighthouse (NECTAR), has conducted first-level sensitisation programmes on School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) for students, teachers and non-teaching staff across Lighthouse School Complexes (LSCs) in all 17 districts.
The programmes, which concluded on September 15, were conducted in coordination with District LSC SRGBV Committees comprising representatives from district administration, Social Welfare, Police, Child Helpline, District Hub for Empowerment of Women, Sakhi One Stop Centre, students’ unions, school heads and teacher counsellors.
The sessions covered the meaning and forms of SRGBV, safe reporting mechanisms, safe and unsafe touch, consent, personal boundaries, privacy, confidentiality and the roles of SRGBV committees. Participants were also sensitised on the POCSO Act, 2012, the POSH Act, 2013, non-discrimination and responsibilities in preventing and responding to SRGBV.
Resource persons emphasised child protection, gender equality and the need for safe, inclusive and child-friendly schools. They urged adults to respond appropriately to cases of abuse while protecting the identity of children.
Participants were informed about reporting mechanisms, including the Grievance Redressal Mechanism Portal, complaint boxes and IEC materials. They were also encouraged to seek help from trusted adults and appropriate authorities when facing violence, abuse or harassment.