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Women Empowerment: Yogi government is working towards making the school environment more sensitive by linking the education of girls with their self-respect, security, dignity and leadership abilities. In this sequence, teachers’ understanding is being developed on sensitive issues affecting the self-esteem of children. Teasing about appearance or physical structure, seeing oneself and others only on the basis of body or appearance, recognizing one’s body and its capabilities, influence of social media and gender stereotypes are the main topics of the training.

Under the Special Project for Equity, a two-day master trainer training of 100 participants in two batches has started from today for the Meena Manch Program and Self-Esteem Project. The comprehensive training framework aims to prepare a total of 450 Master Trainers.

Safe, participatory and respectful environment

The aim of this initiative is to prepare teachers to understand the sensitive experiences of children and communicate effectively with them, so that safe, participatory and respectful environment in schools is strengthened and every girl child can move forward with confidence towards her education and future.

Understanding on self-esteem issues

The training includes four newly developed comic books as teaching resources. Through these, topics like teasing and harassment on the basis of appearance and body structure, children’s perceptions about the body, connection with their body and its capabilities and the impact of social media are being explained. The use of these resources will also demonstrate ways to increase children’s enrolment, regular attendance and active participation in school activities.

Sensitive dialogue on gender stereotypes

In the training, work is being done on the formation of Meena Manch, the role of ‘Power Angel’ and the process of participatory facilitation. Through the STARS principle, the process of listening to children in a safe environment, communicating without preconceptions, valuing all voices and learning from experiences is being explained. Identification of gender stereotypes and dialogue on these topics are also being practiced through comics and classroom activities.

Emphasis on child protection through POCSO Act

On the first day of the training, key messages of child protection were clarified through a discussion on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO Act). An effort was made to strengthen the facilitation skills of the participants through mock demonstrations and constructive feedback. Work will also be done on the process of collecting, documenting and presenting the stories of children and teachers.

There will be an exercise to connect the lives of teenagers

On the second day an understanding of the four new chapters, 13 sessions and teacher guide of the revised ‘Wings of Progress’ module will be developed. There will be an effort to connect its sessions with the curriculum and the lives of adolescents through group exercises and mock sessions. Information about ‘Arman’ module and parenting sessions will also be given.

Discussion on menstrual health and dignity

The major implications of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dr. Jaya Thakur vs. Government of India and others (2026) will also be discussed. Under the umbrella of menstrual health, dignity and school responsibilities, exercises will be conducted to decide practical steps at the school level on topics like safe toilets, water, essential products, disposal, privacy and awareness.