By Ibankyntiew Mawrie
SHILLONG: On the eve of Women’s Day, all the four elected women legislators have spelt out their visions for making Meghalaya a safe place for women and minor girls who often face violence of various kinds.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Williamnagar representative Deborah Marak expressed concerns over the rise of crime against women in the State.
“As a mother and a woman, I am concerned about the rising trend in crime against women especially in the context of the recent Williamnagar Gang rape case”, she said while adding that elected women representatives will have to meet collectively to decide on action plan to tackle the menace.
It may be mentioned that the Williamnagar rape case where a 18-year was gang-rape by 16 boys at Williamnagar, East Garo Hills police on December 13 last, is still pending.
Meanwhile, commenting on the rise of female drug users in the state, Shillong East legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh said women often falls prey to substance abuse due to various problems faced by them, but these problems can be solved through proper counselling.
Admitting that substance abuse is becoming popular among the women in the State, Lyngdoh said that the number is however lesser when compared to male counterparts.
Admitting that there have been many women in her constituency who are involved in this business, Lyngdoh said in a society, these problems should be treated in a systematic way and help needed should be extended to them. “I have come across such incidents and upon enquiry, the answer received from these women was that their problems have led them to do all these things”, she added.
In connection with the increase of women selling illicit liquor, the Shillong East legislator said that selling illicit liquor is not the answer to the problems, instead it will do more harm to them and there is always a solution to every problem and the same can be tackled in various ways.”
A glaring aspect which is visible in the State in present day is that large numbers of women are engaged in selling liquor.
Stating that women would sell illicit liquor and get into drugs due to various problems, Lyngdoh said that there are alternatives to earn their livelihood and get away from their problems.
“We should give women ample opportunities and empower them so that they can stand in their own feet to prevent them from falling prey to many social ills”, she said.
Meanwhile, representative of Shillong North Roshan Warjri has this to say, “As far as crime against women is concerned, there should be a fast track courts in all the headquarters to expedite the case at the earliest to ensure that justice is served.”
In relation to rise of substance abuse, Warjri stressed on the need to have more counselling centres to empower and provide support system to the women in need of help. “We should ensure that such women are given the best health care from physical to mental counseling”, she added.
Reacting to a query on the prevalence of a large section of single mothers, Warjri said that there is a scheme in the Congress manifesto which caters to the need of widows, to enhance and empower them financially.
Overall, the Shillong North legislator wished all the women of the state on the occasion of international women’s day while praying for more strength and wisdom to be bestowed upon them.
She also called upon the people at large to work together and partner with the men to ensure that women acquire a safe and secure environment.
On the same note, Mahendraganj legislator Dikkanchi D Shira stressed on the need to empower the women of the state to enable them to face every challenges of the present day.
Being elected to the State Assembly for the first time, Shira said that there is a lot which needed to be done for the women of the state. “There is a need to uplift their social status”, she said adding that poverty is one problem which hit the rural lots as well.
She said that there are many poor people in her constituency and stated that it is time to bring about a change in the way they live. “We have to find out ways and means to improve their livelihood”, she said.