Girl students to pedal through Kozhikode by night

KOZHIKODE: More than 70 girls will ride bicycles around the city on November 20 at night, proclaiming their right to occupy public spaces. This is the first time that the government is venturing on a novel move to declare the rights of girl children. The event, organised by the District Child Protection Unit, Kozhikode, is being supported by the special juvenile police unit.

Termed as the ‘Declaration of the Rights of the Girl Child’, the rally would be flagged off from Mananchira by City Police Commissioner Uma Behra , district child protection officer Sheeba Mumthaz C.K said. The rally is being held as part of the Child Rights Week observance. Girls studying in city schools from class eight to 12 are participating in the ride.

 “This is a novel move to boost the self-confidence of girl children, with the support of their parents. Earlier, we had planned to conduct the event from 9pm to 10pm, but some of the parents said it would be late and therefore the ride might start a little earlier,” she added. The special juvenile police unit will support the initiative by regulating traffic flow during that one hour.  After starting from Mananchira, the girls would pass through SBI building, Commissioner’s office, moffusil bus station and return to Mananchira. They will be holding placards, declaring their equal right to public space and how children should be treated equally before society.