357 student leaders from 51 rural schools empowered on International Day of the Girl Child

Solidaridad together with the education ministries of the Central and Uva Provincial Councils organised a special multifaceted program for 357 student leaders from 51 rural schools titled ‘Empowering girls for a brighter tomorrow’ in lieu of the International Day of the Girl Child 2019. 

The programs, which were held simultaneously from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at central locations in the districts of Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla and Monaragala comprised of pertinent sessions on leadership, empowerment, health and nutrition, savings and finance management, protecting the environment, responsible social media and internet usage. The sessions were interactive and comprised videos, lectures, PowerPoint presentations and activities. 

Student leaders comprised school prefects, games captains and presidents of clubs and societies. Delivering the series of lectures across a wide range of topics was possible due to the close collaboration with the Government and provincial council departments of health, education, environment, and planning. 

Sri Lanka Medical Nutrition Association (SLMNA) nutritionists delivered the sessions on health and nutrition, the while National Development Bank (NDB) officers from the districts delivered the topics on savings and financial management and the Girls Guides Association of Sri Lanka under the leadership of International Commissioner Manishini Ekanayake and her team delivered a special activity based session in all districts for the girls. 

Matale Zonal Education Office Assistant Director Manoji Kahalla commenting about the event stated, “This is a timely program where the topics selected are important for our girls in today’s context. All girls should be given the opportunity to participate in this program and I hope you will organise this as a longer programme in future.” 

The ‘Reaching the Unreached Estates and Surrounding Communities on Equitable Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) for Improved Health and Nutrition Project’ is funded by the European Union’s Integrated Rural Development Programme and implemented in 52 Estates and 105 surrounding rural Villages and 81 provincial schools in the Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Badulla and Monaragala Districts. The project is implemented by Solidaridad Network Asia, Nucleus Foundation, and the Institute of Social Development. 

It supports unreached estate and rural communities to improve access safe water, sanitation facilities and promotes nutrition improvement is carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Hill Country, New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development; Central and Uva Provincial Councils; Regional Economic Development Agency; Plantation Human Development Trust; Sri Lanka Medical Nutrition Association and the Department of National Community Water Supply.