DMHO Stresses Gender Equality on International Girl Child Day
Dr. P. Jagadeeswara Rao, District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) of Visakhapatnam, led a rally on the eve of International Girl Child Day, calling for equal gender representation and greater efforts to address gender imbalance. Dr. Rao spotlighted the district’s gender ratio, which stands at 969 girls for every 1,000 boys, and emphasized the need for proactive measures to foster a balanced society.
During the rally, Dr. Rao urged health staff to champion equal opportunities for both genders, stressing the importance of compliance with the PC&PNDT Act, which prohibits gender determination tests. He assured that any violations of the Act would be met with stringent legal consequences.
Praising the accomplishments of girls across various sectors, Dr. Rao highlighted their resilience despite societal challenges. “Girls are excelling in every field,” he said. “It is our responsibility to ensure they have every opportunity to succeed.”
Mrs. K.V. Rama Lakshmi, ICDS Project Director, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the “Save Girl Child” initiative must be free from bias. She encouraged girls to tackle challenges with courage and confidence.
Dr. Lucy, District Immunization Officer, reflected on the theme of this year’s International Girl Child Day—”I am a girl, I am the change: Girls on the front lines of crisis.” She urged girls to stay resilient in the face of adversity, advocating for equal treatment and greater awareness of gender equality.
The event also featured remarks by Mr. B. Nageswara Rao, Demo, who spoke about the importance of leadership qualities in girls, and Mrs. M. Satyavati, DPHNO, who encouraged girls to challenge outdated thinking and compete equally with men in all fields.
District medical staff, including ANMs, ASHA workers, and trainee nurses, participated in the rally, reaffirming their commitment to fighting gender discrimination and empowering girls for a brighter, equal future.
Since its inception in 2012, International Girl Child Day has served as a global platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by girls. This year’s theme calls for collective action to address these pressing issues and ensure girls everywhere have the opportunity to thrive.