PA/24/15 11 December 2015
Students from Delhi schools unite to sensitise youth on gender equality
Enthusiastic students from ten prominent Delhi schools gathered at the Australian High Commission to celebrate gender equality and non-discrimination at an event to mark the grand finale of a six-month long student-led campaign ‘Kickstart Equality’.
Kickstart Equality, initiated by the NGO CEQUIN and funded by the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program, engaged youth through gender sensitisation workshops, debates, slogan writing, poster making, street plays and flash mobs. Over 200 students actively participated in the initiative to promote women’s empowerment.
“It is great to see Delhi’s youth leading on gender equality and inspiring positive change within their communities. The Australian Government is committed to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. It is great to see Australia and India working together to promote this important issue,” Patrick Suckling, Australian High Commissioner to India, said.
On display at the grand finale were original artworks created by students that showcased their talent and immense passion for the rights of women. For instance, an artwork by Mother’s International School depicted that it is right time to address suffocating stereotypes of society. Another artwork by Apeejay School, Saket emphasised the need to awaken our inner consciousness to raise our voice against inequality.
“Kickstart Equality is an exciting initiative for CEQUIN. We have always believed in the power of youth as ‘Agents of Change’ and often seek out ways to engage them. This campaign has enabled us to actively foster their passion for helping those less privileged than themselves,” Sara Pilot, Co-Founder and Chairperson, CEQUIN said.
The event also witnessed dance, music and theatre performances by the students. The evening came to a close with a special performance by the popular acapella group ‘Vocal Rasta’.
Participating schools included Apeejay-Saket, Air Force Bal Bharti, Bloom Public School, DPS Dwarka, Modern School- Vasant Vihar, Mother’s International School, Sanskriti School, Springdales-Pusa Road, Tagore International School and The British School.