Kohima: Students, teachers, and staff across all 17 districts of Nagaland finished a state-wide training program on September 15. The initiative targeted school-related gender-based violence. The Nagaland Education Project, known as NECTAR, led the effort. They aimed to overhaul how schools handle abuse and harassment.
Sessions covered critical topics. They taught participants about consent, safe and unsafe touch, and personal boundaries. Officials also explained the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012. They introduced the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act of 2013. The goal is clear. Prevention matters.
Schools now emphasize safe reporting. This includes using the Grievance Redressal Mechanism Portal and physical complaint boxes. Victims should speak up. The project encourages everyone to seek help from trusted adults or authorities when witnessing abuse. Resource persons stressed that adults must respond to reports while keeping a child's identity secret.
These programs relied on district-level committees. These groups include local police, the Social Welfare department, the Child Helpline, and Sakhi One Stop Centres. Student unions and school leaders also played a part. The NECTAR press release noted, "Participants and LSC SRGBV Committees across the districts highlighted the need for active participation of students, teachers, school authorities and communities in preventing and addressing school-related violence."
Organizers pushed for gender equality and respect for diversity. Training finished across Lighthouse School Complexes and their connected hubs. The state is now pushing for a culture of safety. It remains a work in progress.
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