KATHMANDU, Dec 23: Madhes Province has launched an awareness program to ensure education and insurance for daughters among the Dalit and marginalized communities of Mahottari and Dhanusha districts under the Chief Minister Beti Padhau Beti Bachau movement.

The Ministry of Social Development of Madhes Province, in partnership with the European Union and UNICEF, launched the Daughter’s Education Insurance Awareness Program in all eight districts of Madhesh Province on Thursday in the 'first phase' of this awareness campaign. 

Speaking at the event, Director of the Education Development Directorate of  Madhesh Province Chudamani Phuyal said that the government has introduced this program because girls in most of the communities have limited access to education compared to boys. In addition to this, girls marrying at an early age due to some sort of family pressure are facing physical and mental issues.  "This campaign will increase girls' access to education and help them become financially independent," said Director Phuyal. 

Participants of the program were informed about the scheme of the entire program, the process, and the criteria for registration. In case of any issue with filling out the form, participants were informed to receive support from their respective ward offices. 

As a continuation of the Chief Minister Beti Padhau Beti Bachau Program, the Ministry of Social Development of Madhesh Province came up with the Chief Minister Beti Padhau, Beti Bachau Abhiyan Program Operation Procedure, 2078.  As directed by the procedure, the 'Daughter Education Insurance/Fixed Term Savings Program' was implemented targeting those girls who were born after January 15, 2022.  

As soon as insurance is taken under this program, Rs 37,557 will be deposited in the insured girl's account. And after attaining the age of 20 years, the insured girl will get a total amount of Rs 300,000. 

But certain criteria were outlined and required to be fulfilled to receive the amount. An insured girl should have passed SEE and remained unmarried at least until the age of 20. If the insured girl dies prematurely, the insured's family will receive the amount that has been accumulated in the year of death after completing all the legal procedures. 

Chija Bhandari, Social Policy Officer of UNICEF Nepal, said that there is a possibility of incorporating cross-sectoral areas such as nutrition, health, education, and WASH through the 'Daughter Education Insurance/Term Savings Program' and this will help in the holistic development of the girl child. She also mentioned that UNICEF is working with the provincial government on program design. 

 
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