Building Awareness, Strengthening Protection: Swayamsidhya Programme at Nagendrapur Hemanta Kumari High School

An awareness generation programme under the Swayamsidhya Programme, implemented through the ACV Project, was organised at Nagendrapur Hemanta Kumari High School to sensitise students on critical issues affecting children and adolescents, including child marriage, child labour and unsafe migration leading to trafficking.

The programme began with Ms. Manashi Mistry, ACV Field Mobilizer, who welcomed the participants and introduced the purpose of the session. She highlighted the importance of creating awareness among adolescents so that they are better equipped to identify risks, seek support and make informed decisions.

An important part of the programme was the participation of two adolescent members of the ACV Project, who spoke directly to their peers about the realities and consequences of child marriage, child labour and unsafe migration. Their involvement helped make the discussion more relatable and encouraged students to engage with these issues from a young person’s perspective.

This was followed by a session conducted by Ms. Riya De, who explained the legal provisions related to child marriage, child labour and trafficking. She discussed children’s rights, the protections available under law, and the helpline numbers and concerned authorities that students and community members can approach to prevent or report cases of abuse, exploitation or trafficking.

To reinforce the learning, an interactive quiz was conducted after the session. Students participated enthusiastically, responding to questions based on the topics discussed and demonstrating their understanding of the key messages.

The programme concluded with remarks from the Headmaster of Nagendrapur Hemanta Kumari High School, who summarised the major takeaways and encouraged students to approach their teachers whenever they face situations requiring guidance, protection or support. He emphasised that timely communication and collective action can play an important role in preventing harm and ensuring the safety of children.

The session ended with a vote of thanks by Ms. Shrabani Purkait, ACV Field Mobilizer.

Through initiatives such as the Swayamsidhya Programme, the ACV Project continues to promote awareness, informed decision-making and stronger protection mechanisms for adolescents, while encouraging young people to become active participants in creating safer communities.

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