AMPATI: A public hearing on crimes against women and children was organized at Ampati on Wednesday by the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW). The Deputy Commissioner’s office conference hall was jam packed with hundreds of women and students from all over South West Garo Hills who came to attend the first ever public hearing on crimes against women and children in the district.
During the public hearing MSCW chairperson T Phanbuh expressed concern over the escalating instances of crimes against women and children in the state.
Explaining the aims and objectives of the public hearing Phanbuh said that the commission was established to deal with the complex issues women faced in their daily domestic and professional life.
“In view of the increase in offences against women and children the commission has adopted the training of trainers (programme) for women support groups who will in turn weed out ignorance and empower women by educating them of their rights,” informed Phanbuh.
Highlighting the various programmes undertaken by the women’s commission to sensitize the populace on crimes against women she urged the participants to lend support to field workers engaged in collecting data at the grassroots level.
South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Cyril V D Diengdoh during his address highlighted the various interventions undertaken by the district administration in regard to crimes against women and children.
He stated that these interventions were taken up to provide equal rights to the underprivileged sections of the society, especially women and children. Diengdoh informed that a District Level Task Force had been established to expedite cases pertaining to crimes against women and children.
An internal complaints committee has also been established to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace.
On economic empowerment the deputy commissioner said that special trainings are being given to weavers belonging to women groups and SHGs under the Integrated Basin Development & Livelihood Promotion programme.
Diengdoh informed that mass door to door campaign covering 1600 households was undertaken by the District Legal Services Authority recently to educate the people on their rights.
He also opined that there was a need to strengthen the investigation wing of the police department.
