Two
teenage girls from Bihar would tell world leaders about problems facing
a girl child in the state at United Nations (UN) general assembly on
September 24. Poonam Kumari, 14, and Nazia Afreen,
17, are among the 11 children from India who will get an opportunity to
put forth their views on inclusive education and its various aspects in
front of the world.
When Nazia stands in front of hundreds of world leaders at the UN, she would convey the ideas of hundreds of Muslim girls on how to make the world a better place to live in. "I have talked to a number of girls in rural areas about their problems mostly, relating to education and its solutions," said Nazia, a BA (part I) student of Rajkiya Mahila Mahavidyalaya-Gulzarbagh.
The event is a special session as a part of the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDG)-2015 programme where children from different sections of society would exchange dialogue to alleviate poverty from the world. More than 12 lakh children from across India had come up with manifestos for the same, said Steve Rocha, a coordinator for the group.
The children would leave for New York on September 17. Sponsored by child advocacy group 'Nine is Mine', the children are hopeful that their demands will be included in the MDG-2015 agenda.
Poonam, a girl from the Mahadalit community, fought against her kin who wanted to marry her off even when she was a child. She is all set to pitch for girl education and oppose child labour. "Small children of our community are forced to work at hotels or as ragpickers. Girls are not sent to school due to monetary constraints. This should change," feels Poonam, a Class V student of Nari Gunjan School who also teaches younger children to earn some money. Not scared of facing a distinguished audience on a foreign shore, Poonam is confident that her small contribution would bring some positive change in the lives of girls of her community.
Born to Mohammad Serajuddin, a tailor, and Rafia Begum, a homemaker, Nazia dreams of pursuing a career in economics while working as a social activist. Poonam too shares the dream of becoming a social activist and changing the lives of her father Bharosemanji, a daily wage earner, and Jasia Devi, a homemaker.
Both the girls are associated with Bihar Ambedkar Students Forum and have made friends with the other children who would be undertaking the odyssey. The 11 students who would be making their voices heard at the UN belong to a broad spectra and include a visually challenged girl, a hearing-impaired boy, a slum dweller as well as a Brahmin boy.
When Nazia stands in front of hundreds of world leaders at the UN, she would convey the ideas of hundreds of Muslim girls on how to make the world a better place to live in. "I have talked to a number of girls in rural areas about their problems mostly, relating to education and its solutions," said Nazia, a BA (part I) student of Rajkiya Mahila Mahavidyalaya-Gulzarbagh.
The event is a special session as a part of the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDG)-2015 programme where children from different sections of society would exchange dialogue to alleviate poverty from the world. More than 12 lakh children from across India had come up with manifestos for the same, said Steve Rocha, a coordinator for the group.
The children would leave for New York on September 17. Sponsored by child advocacy group 'Nine is Mine', the children are hopeful that their demands will be included in the MDG-2015 agenda.
Poonam, a girl from the Mahadalit community, fought against her kin who wanted to marry her off even when she was a child. She is all set to pitch for girl education and oppose child labour. "Small children of our community are forced to work at hotels or as ragpickers. Girls are not sent to school due to monetary constraints. This should change," feels Poonam, a Class V student of Nari Gunjan School who also teaches younger children to earn some money. Not scared of facing a distinguished audience on a foreign shore, Poonam is confident that her small contribution would bring some positive change in the lives of girls of her community.
Born to Mohammad Serajuddin, a tailor, and Rafia Begum, a homemaker, Nazia dreams of pursuing a career in economics while working as a social activist. Poonam too shares the dream of becoming a social activist and changing the lives of her father Bharosemanji, a daily wage earner, and Jasia Devi, a homemaker.
Both the girls are associated with Bihar Ambedkar Students Forum and have made friends with the other children who would be undertaking the odyssey. The 11 students who would be making their voices heard at the UN belong to a broad spectra and include a visually challenged girl, a hearing-impaired boy, a slum dweller as well as a Brahmin boy.
source :times of india
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