"Empowering Communities to Address Violence Against Children" A pilot project in 3 Dzongkhags

Officials from the Women and Children Division, Secretariat to the National Commission for Women and Children and Scouts and Sports Division, Department of Education Programme under the Ministry of Education and Skills Development and officials from Save the Children, Bhutan Country Office made a courtesy call to Dasho Dzongda of Zhemgang Dzongkhag on August 9, 2023. The purpose of the call was to apprise Dasho Dzongda on the project 'Empowering Communities to Address Violence Against Children’ and present on the Dekyid Thuendrel- parenting without violence toolkit and formation of Child Protection Committees in the community and school. From August 10 to 11, 2023 the Dzongkhag officials, local leaders, and members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) were oriented on the Project, its objectives, formation of the child protection committee in selected schools and gewogs and the ToR of the committees. Further, they were also sensitised on the Early Identification and Safe Referral (EISR)and Internal Child Safeguarding and Protection Framework. A five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program on Dekid Thuendrel (Parenting without Violence toolkit) which was conducted from August 12 to 16, 2023 was attended by a total of 24 participants. The participants for this training included principals, school counselors, and teachers from seven distinct schools: Panbang Primary School, Zhemgang Primary School, Tingtibi Primary School, Gomphu Primary School, Goshing Primary School, Yebilaptse Center School, and Tshaidang Primary School. In addition to these school representatives, community leaders, including Gups, Tshogpa members, and Gewog Administration Officers from Ngangla, Trong, Fishing, Nangkor Gewogs, and Zhemgang Dzongkhag, participated actively in the comprehensive ToT program that took place from August 12 to 16, 2023, at the RDTC conference hall in Zhemgang. Upon the conclusion of the five-day program, participants were presented with certificates by Dasho Drangpon of Zhemgang Dzongkhag. These individuals are now poised to carry back to their respective schools and communities a newfound readiness to propagate similar training and knowledge sharing. This collective effort is anticipated to amplify the positive outcomes of this project significantly.