Women’s Day celebrated in different districts of Meghalaya
SHILLONG: A rally to observe International Women’s Day organised by Manbha Foundation which witnessed the participation of over hundred women on Wednesday to voice their anger and protest following the grim incidences of rapes and murders of women and children.
The rally started from Madan Iewrynghep football ground and culminated at Additional Secretariat parking lot.
Speaking to reporters, Rica Lamar, general secretary of Manbha Foundation said that the rally was organised with the intention to voice their concern over the rising number of crimes against women in the State.
“Since the beginning of this year, we see crimes being committed and some of these crimes were committed by people who are in power. The people who are supposed to protect us are committing crimes,” she said.
Stating that the rally is a platform for the women to unite and extend solidarity to their cause especially with regard to the slow conviction rates, she said, “We condemn such acts and we ask the state government as to what it is doing. Criminals get away after committing crime and this encourages such crimes to happen.”
Commenting on the silence of five women legislators in the state over the rising crimes committed against women, Lamar said, “Only three legislators have spoken. It has been totally ignored. Even the Governor did not mention it in his address. It is sad as it should have been given importance.”
She added that women legislators did not condemn the acts nor spoke about it.
Speaking about the rally, she said, “We held a white ribbon campaign to take the pledge to not participate in violence and to do something if we see violence.”
When asked as to how tough it is for victims to come out, she said that women feel guilty and shamed of the things they do that may have entice men to accosts them to perform such acts.
“There is a lot of physical and psychological trauma. It takes a long time for such person to overcome the trauma and it affects their future relationships,” she said.
She added, “Most women who have undergone violence are usually scared to come out. They have a sense of guilt in them. They feel, ‘perhaps it is me with what I say, what I have done, the way I dress’”.
She added that there was a time when a victim had to be shifted from her village to another village as the people flayed her asserting that the victim deserved it.
Meanwhile, CSWO president, Agnes Kharshiing was dismayed asserting that the celebration has become a daily routine as there are ‘celebrations everywhere, even there is one in Polo.’
Criticising the state government for having the monetary capacity to organize festivals but does not allocate funds to set up fast track courts, she said, “We need to get women together and organize something. But we see that everybody is divided and it is a divide and rule policy so that nobody will raise a voice against government.”
Commenting on the per capita crime in the state is more than that of Uttar Pradesh, she said, “Those are reported ones. There are various cases in rural area that have been hushed up and suppressed by traditional heads.”
“The ones that are reported are showing a high trend and imagine the amount of crimes against women in a matrilineal society,” she said.
When pointed that there are over 200 cases in the 2016, she said, “We do not even have enough courts to try these cases. Even the police are taxed as they are not only handling women’s crime.”She asserted that there are many lady inspectors who are not deployed on the field. She said that there are times that victims are send to Sardar Police station because there is no women police cell.
International Women’s Day under the theme ‘Be Bold for Change’ was organised by the District Social Welfare Officer of Ri Bhoi District in collaboration with the District Task Force Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme at the District Auditorium Hall of Nongpoh on Wednesday.
Chairman of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, M. Kharkongor, graced the function as chief guest. The function also witnessed the enthusiastic participation of women self help groups, women organisations from different parts of the District, school children who performed various short skit showcasing women rights, cultural dance and songs.
A prominent women leader of the District, W.K. Blah who is also Principal of the Alpha English Higher Secondary School and president of Nongpoh Area Women Welfare Association was felicitated by the District Administration of Ri Bhoi.
The SOS Children’s Village Shillong celebrated the International Women’s Day at the Extension Training Centre, State Institute of Rural Development, Nongsder.
Since the theme of this year is “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030” the Principal of ETC, SIRD, Nongsder shared the message of the Prime Minister of India and saluted women for their hardships faced and in upbringing of their children to be contributing members in the society .
The Dikki Bandi Stadium in Tura saw one of the largest gatherings of womenfolk from all over Garo Hills who came to participate in the International Women’s Day celebration on Wednesday.
Women gathered from Mangsang , Wageasi, Gabil, Dalu, Purakasia, Rimrangpara, Baghmara, Siju, Gasuapara, Babadam, Zikzak, Selsella, Dadenggre and other villages participated in the daylong programme.
The programme was organised in collaboration with Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme and Tura Diocesan Women Commission, District Social Department West Garo Hills, Meghalaya Rural Bank, State Bank of India and others with Bakdil as the anchoring agency. West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
To commemorate the International Women’s Day, the Innerwheel Club of Shillong participated in a series of activities beginning with joining a rally in collaboration with Manbha Foundation and other NGOs to protest against the rising crimes against women and children.
For the same occasion, the club also organise an essay writing competition for college students on ‘Women’s journey to empowerment’ in which St Edmunds college bagged the first prize.
The club organise a poster competition highlighting the constitutional rights of women. Posters were put up in various schools, colleges and other establishments . ‘Nari Shakti awards were conferred to six women achievers from various walks of life who have contributed to the social uplift of society. The programme culminated with a talk on ‘legal empowerment of women’ by IWC District Chairman, Pubalee Bujarbaruah, an eminent lawyer.