The West Bengal government has received the prestigious UN Public Service Award for its initiative to combat child marriage and ensure education to the girl child in the state. West Bengal’s ‘Kanyashree Prakalpa‘ initiative rigorously seeks to reduce the high child marriage rates and low female education rates in the state.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee received the honor at a ceremony held in The Hague, Netherlands on behalf of her government for the initiative. Started in 2011, Kanyashree Prakalpa is a conditional cash transfer scheme aimed at educating and empowering girls and it bagged the award for proving efficient in reaching the poor and vulnerable sections of the population.
Citing the impact, the initiative had, the UN said it led to a “drastic reduction in child marriage, increase in female education and female empowerment.”The UN Public Service Awards are given by the world body to institutions from across the world for their innovation and excellence in providing public services. It highlights the pivotal role of public services in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The West Bengal government was among the 12 institutions from 11 countries that were recognized by the world body on UN Public Service Day. Speaking at the ceremony, Mamata Banerjee said “Public service is service for all; it means continuous monitoring and regular service for the people.”
She constantly emphasized that her government is focused on empowering the girl child from all sections of society and simultaneously outlined measures taken to ensure basic amenities, healthcare, food support and education to people in her state.
Way to go!!
