Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck advocates for women empowerment and public health
Her Majesty the Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the Royal Patron of the Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women (RENEW) and the Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Population Fund concluded a two-day advocacy program focused on the empowerment of women and girls as well as their rights concerning sexual and reproductive health in Tsirang.
Her Majesty the Gyalyum on August 14, interacted with over 800 students and 141 staff of Damphu Middle Secondary School and Damphu Central School including 26 children with disabilities. Her Majesty shared with them the importance of comprehensive sexuality education.
Officials from RENEW, education and skills development and health also conducted interactive sessions with the students on public health. They talked about comprehensive sexuality education where concepts on gender, gender-based violence, cultures and values were discussed.
On August 13, Her Majesty the Gyalyum graced the inauguration of the RENEW’s new community service center at Damphu, the first service center initiated by the Dzongkhag Administration. The center constructed with a budget of over Nu.4 M will serve as a safe place for children, cater services to individuals affected by diverse challenges including gender-based violence and provide training in livelihood skills.
As a part of the advocacy program, Her Majesty the Gyalyum met with over 400 people from 12 gewogs of Tsirang including local government officials and interacted with 90 health staff, the mother and child at the Tsirang Dzongkhag Hospital among others.
Her Majesty the Gyalyum was accompanied by the Ministry’s Acting Secretary and officials from health, RENEW, UNFPA and UNICEF.