Chandigarh, July 26: To transforms girls into leaders through their active engagement a ‘Girls Parliament’, was launched at Kitabghar in Bapudham Colony, Sector 26, Chandigarh. Similarly for those who can’t access newspapers or televisions daily to get news of what’s happening around a ‘NEWS WALL-JUGNU’ was prepared by Girls Parliament members as first step towards inculcating active citizenship and strengthening democracy at local level. These initiatives are supported by Carmel Convent Schools, CESA and Yuvsatta-an NGO.

A group of 57 adolescent girls voted and selected first five girl parliamentarians for their ‘Girls Parliament’. The chosen ones are Shaina, Simran, Minakshi, Rehnuma & Tulsi. Saba Sharma the programme convenor shared that through Girls Parliament they will also be conducting leadership development programmes and life skills workshops to really empower girls. In addition to academic learning, they also plan to prepare adolescent girls to think and act differently and be prepared to effectively engage in higher education and further endeavors.

Sharing her joy Shaina the leaders of Girls Parliament said that ‘for the very first time, we the girls are given a voice and see they have the ability to influence their own lives.’

Rehnuma another elected member of Girls Parliament said that through there News Wall they plan to daily share news stories of local, national and international importance with general public and will also be reading them aloud to other girls and those who are illiterate.

Sr. Mary Supreeta, Principal of Carmel Convent School added that through such initiatives children become confident and this leads them to become agents of change as they advance in school and life.