Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) as part of the celebration of National Girl Child Day launched their flagship programme ‘Gal Wakkdi’. The Commission has successfully roped in four Child Ambassadors for the first stage of the programme and eight Mentors to work on the three pillars of the being ‘Prepare Girls to Lead’, ‘Mentoring and Empowering Them’ and ‘Be Advocates of Change through Brand Ambassadors’. Mentors were selected for their illustrious careers in promoting child rights in India and in Chandigarh particularly. The Mentors have successful careers in varied fields and would act as role models to the children of Chandigarh. The Mentors included Ms. Vandana Aggarwal founder of the NGO Helping Hands; Mrs. Neena Singh who has been active in corporate sector and has worked with the commission on child rehabilitation; Dr. Bhavneet Bharti is a Paediatrician and the first successful foster parent in Chandigarh, Dr. Reeti Mehra is a Professor GMCH Sector 32, Mr. Nitesh Sharma successfully runs an organization to cater to needs of the differently abled deaf and mute children, Mr. Neil Roberts was Ex- Chairman CWC and is currently the coordinator with DSLA, Mrs. Simirit is a renowned artist who has successfully presented solo exhibitions and Mrs. Sadhana Retd. Principal and renowned artist. The Program was launched largely to enable the participation and strengthen the voices of children in designing and creating advocacy on issues of child rights. Commission selected The Child Ambassadors for their exemplary records in Academic and Non- Academic fields.
The ambassadors included Kashvi Garg and Siya Monga who are both National Gold Medalist in Fencing; and Gaurika Class 10th Topper in Chandigarh and Mannat who has shown enthusiasm in the field of science by participating in science workshops and seminars. The Child Ambassadors will engage with the commission for the course of one year, in which the Ambassadors under the able guidance of the Mentors and the commission would organize 12 mission programs to benefit the children of Chandigarh in ensuring their rights of protection, survival, development and participation.The meeting began with a welcome note from Ms. Harjinder Kaur, Chairperson, CCPCR where she spoke of a concerted and tireless effort in ensuring that in Chandigarh ‘The City Beautiful’ every child blooms and achieve their full potential for a better future. Following which Child Care Stakeholders including Child Welfare Committee, District Child Protection Unit and Representatives from the Helpline detailed for the Mentors and Child Ambassadors the working of child care machinery in Chandigarh and presented the focus areas for making Chandigarh a Child Friendly City.At the end of the meeting the Mentors successfully agreed upon key areas that they would detail the 12 mission programmes towards. These key focus areas looked at a holistic development for children working towards the theme of this years National Girl Child Day ‘Education, Equality and Empowerment’, the Mentors pledged to work on fostering, rehabilitation and overall development of children for a better and empowered future through efforts towards education, health and employment.