The 7th of September was observed as the Balika Diwas (the Girl Child Day), by the Buxar Diocesan Social Service Society and ICM Sisters, implementing the Caritas India Roshni-Suposhan programme in Mahadalit communities of 12 villages of Kochas block in Rohtas district of Bihar. The occasion, spread the message of equality between boys and girls, by flagging the deprivations and discrimination meted out to the girl children in the society, not limited to education, nutrition, protection, honor killings and child marriage and so on.

The programme was kick-started with a children’s rally against child marriage and cultural programmes. Highlighting the plight of the girls in Bihar and that a majority of Dalit community dropout from the school due to the burden of household chores, the event’s objective was to appeal for equal rights, good education, nutrition and respect in the society for Mahadalit girls.

Mrs. Seema Devi, Child Development Protection Officer, Kochas block, Rohtas graced the occasion as the chief guest, wherein Sister Nisha Michael, the project coordinator, shared about the various facts and ground realities surrounding the girl child including female foeticide, child marriages and early motherhood. The girls of Roshni ki Toli voiced their concerns and expressed themselves through cultural activities.

Mrs. Seema Devi, accepting that Dalit women have the lowest access to Anganwadi centres, expressed the willingness to work jointly with Caritas India under the Poshan Abhiyaan to strengthen the programme’s reach to the community. Appreciating the intervention with Mahadalit girls and women, she expressed her surprise on witnessing Mahadalit girls speak out for the first time. “Main aaj bahut hi khush hu ki samaj ke hasiya par basne wale samuday ki ladkiya itna shashakt ho rahe hai aur unn mataao ko salaam karti hu jisne ladkiyo ko padne ki aajadi di”, said an elated Mrs. Seema Devi (I am very happy to see the marginalized girls rise up to such a level where they are able to express themselves; and I salute the mothers who have given them the freedom to the girls to go to school).

Mr. Sunil Kumar, Tola Sewak, associated with the Roshni-Suposhan programme from the beginning, testified the change he observed in Mahadalit children, who started going to schools in the project areas, leading to improved attendance rate.  The programme concluded with the possibility of ICDS and Caritas India working together in Poshan Abhiyan; showcasing the Roshni-Suposhan initiative on their platforms to generate awareness; while pledging full cooperation from the ICDS. Over 300 participants were ANM officials, Ward Member and women and child participants.

“Civil society organizations are doing their best to uplift the Mahadalit community of educational and nutritional backwardness, and we expect the Government to pay more attention to their overall development and provide equal space to connect with the mainstream society”, said Mr. Lokesh Ranjan, Programme Officer, Caritas India.  The erstwhile Roshi programme is being implemented since 2013, which got converged with nutrition initiative in 2018, covering 87 villages spanning 7 districts. The initiative is supported by Caritas Germany.