SHILLONG: Despite enjoying a “special status”, women in matrilineal Meghalaya are being discriminated against when it comes to “decision making”.
This was observed by Social Welfare Minister Deborah C Marak who was addressing a gathering during a function organised by the Department of Social Welfare on the eve of International Women’s Day at the Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture here on Saturday.
Though the Minister did not elaborate on the nature of discrimination in the decision making role of women, the non-inclusion of women in Dorbar is being debated upon in several forums. Marak felt that a wide gap still exists between men and women in the State.
She also did not take kindly the tendency to term women as the ‘weaker section’ of the society. Advocating the need to eradicate the ‘weaker section’ tag, Marak said that women have achieved a lot in various fields including politics and it is unfair to call them weak.
In line with the theme of the programme, “Equality for Women is Progress for all”, the Social Welfare Minister stressed on the need to empower women socially, politically and economically.
She also called for the need to improve the education and health facilities for women especially in the rural areas.
“Improvements in the health and education sector are the main factors that contribute to the progress and growth of a society… a collective effort in ensuring equality to women is the road to progress for all,” she said.
Marak also urged the women not to succumb to the odds of life but fight against discrimination and violence meted out to them.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, G H P Raju observed that in the year 1996 there was no case of eve-teasing in the State and only few rape cases were reported.
“Nowadays crimes against women have increased. In 2014, a total of 300 cases (of crimes against women) were registered. People should try and find out the causes of these crimes and solve the problems collectively,” he said.
Earlier in her speech, NERIE, NCERT professor, Dr F Dkhar said that countries with high participation from women have higher economic growth and a parliament with many women adopts more legislations related to anti discrimination.
In her address, Chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) Meena Kharkongor lamented the ineffectiveness of the implementation of many existing laws for protection of women.
Dignitaries present at the function included PW Ingty, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department, T Dkhar, Commissioner and Secretary, Social Welfare, H M Shangpliang, Director, Social Welfare among others.
