Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Ramesh Kumar has been selected by the Union Ministry of women and Child Development for showcasing exemplary performance under Beti Bacho Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative.Kathua, which was identified as one of the districts with adverse child sex ratio (CSR) in Census 2011, has been selected for "Effective Community Engagement" for valuing and respecting the girl child under Beti Bacho Beti Padhao (BBBP).The ministry of women and child development is celebrating National Girl Child Day on January 24 in New Delhi. "The day is being celebrated with the objective of raising the consciousness of the society towards the girl child so that they are valued and respected. On the occasionMinister of Women & Child Development, Maneka Gandhi will be addressing the audience and special addresses shall be given by eminent speakers from every walk of life for their extraordinary achievements.Due to coordinated and convergent efforts made by Kathua administration under the overall supervision of DC Kathua Ramesh Kumar, ensured survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child in the district. This is being implemented through target oriented campaign and focused multi sectoral action in the district low in CSR, covering length and breadth of the district.
Giving due significance to the overall efforts undertaken by Kathua Administration under PAHAL, the ministry of women and child development has selected Kathua as one of the 10 districts in the country to be felicitated and recognised for its good performance in Beti Bacho Beti Padhao in the category of "Effective Community Engagement".
Kathua has gained the privilege of one among the ten districts to be selected for “Effective Community Engagement” due to the initiatives undertaken by Kathua administration under the able guidance of Deputy Commissioner Ramesh Kumar who rolled out calendar of activities to educate people of every walks of life to improve the declining trend of child sex ratio(CSR) under PAHAL initiative.To address this issue of declining child sex ratio (CSR) and related issues of women empowerment over a life cycle continuum, district administration Kathua under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Ramesh Kumar conceptualized an unique initiative ‘PAHAL -Ek kadam naari samman ki aur’ as a multi sectoral campaign. Umbrella of initiatives; aimed to stem the declining trend of child sex ratio by means of advocacy efforts and community mobilization, to bring attitudinal change among the citizens regarding womanhood and to ensure equal opportunities for female birth and their survival with dignity; were started under the campaign.An array of activities were taken up to educate the masses; mega awareness drive, signature campaign, mass media campaign, nukkad natak, awareness rallies, debates etc. Local folk artists with Dogri and Urdu as primary medium of communication are used so that it can have a connect with the masses. Sponsorship for poor girls for higher education in private institutions by corporate houses(PROTSAHAN),‘Caller Tune cum Jingle’ for mobile users besides symposium and debates were organized in schools and colleges to sensitize all sections of societies regarding provision of punishment in PC & PNDT Act to discourage any misuse of diagnostic tools for sex selective elimination of girls.
Community mobilisation is an essential part of any social campaign, recognizing this, ‘Ladli Diwas’ is being celebrated on 9th of every month at village panchayat , block and in the district. Dissipation of information regarding government initiatives, discussions on women issues, enrolment of girl children under “Laadli Beti Yojana”, celebrating the birth of Girl child, distribution of Kits to new born baby girls are some key activities during Ladli Diwas celebration.Special health and nutrition camps in identified worst sex ratio villages, distribution of Iron and Folic Acid tablets throughout the district. One 24*7 Toll free Women Health Helpline No. for ensuring round the clock healthcare advices to women on a phone call without visiting any healthcare institutions, screening of DANGAL movie and dedicated web page for PAHAL are the efforts which attracted the attention of the centre.After launching ‘PAHAL’ initiative Kathua District has registered new born girl to boy ratio of 873 in FY 2015-16 up from 862 in FY 2014-15 as per HMIS (Health Management Information System).Ramesh Kumar,Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, said, "Selection of Kathua district as one of the 10 best performing districts under BBBP in the country has come as an encouragement for us. Now, we will continue with our endeavour in an innovative way."