To engage students in meaningful activities during their vacation, the Zhemgang Youth Centre continues to offer various programmes. This time, in collaboration with the RENEW Community Service Centre, they are focusing on educating students about gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy. The ten-day summer engagement programme started on Wednesday.
There are 32 students from classes seven to twelve attending the programme.
During the ten-day event, the first four days saw officials from RENEW, school counsellors, police and health professionals explaining about gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy.
The students will also be engaged in art, reading, quiz and other entertainment activities.
“There are different types of abuse: emotional, physical, sexual, and child exploitation among others. Now, I can at least understand when our friends face abuse and how to identify and seek referral,” said Karma Sonam Yangzom, a student of Zhemgang Central School.
“I learned more about laws and how to create awareness and help others,” said Dendup Tashi, another student of Zhemgang Central School.
Tandin Wangmo, who is also a student of Zhemgang Central School “Police have explained and cleared doubts about laws. The doctor told us about teenage pregnancy and its consequences and causes.”
Officials from the RENEW Community Service Centre in Zhemgang said that their approach is not to create a classroom learning environment but to engage them through entertainment and developing skills. Through such platforms, they are creating awareness about the laws and youth-related issues.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Tshering Zam