SHILLONG/JOWAI: Meghalaya State Commission for Women chief Theilin Phanbuh on Thursday urged all women in the State to speak up against the problems they face.
Addressing a gathering at a Women’s Day programme organised by the Social Welfare Department in collaboration with the women’s commission at Aijingshai Secondary School Mawiiong Umjapung, Phanbuh said the commission “is always ready to lend a helping hand to women who are in need”.
There was an awareness session on government schemes for women and their families.
In West Jaintia Hills, women’s police in Jowai celebrated International Women’s Day on Thursday.
“We need to teach our young boys how to respect women. Parents have the responsibility on this particular issue,” SP R. Muthu said.
Z.J Lyngdoh, District Social Welfare Officer, said, “We live in a matrilineal society. Unfortunately there is sexually abuse of women, physically assault and other problems plaguing the society.”
She asked all women to be bold and fight for equality.
YWCA celebrations
The YWCA, Shillong, in collaboration with the Special Cell for Women, Sadar Police Station, celebrated International Women’s Day by organising an awareness programme and street play at Motphran.
Stating that harassed women often resort to suicide, SI at Women Police Station (Shillong) L Kharjana said women should not be afraid to come forward for legal help as an act has been passed under Section 498 A for assisting women and punishing the offender.
She also appealed that women who face violence may approach the Special Cell for professional help.
BSF wives’ association
The Border Security Force Wives’ Welfare Association, Shillong, organised several events, including educational programmes, seminar and debate, that started on March 4 and concluded on March 8.
The focus was on gender disparity and empowering women in decision making in the family. Issues like domestic violence, physical victimisation, bias against women in ‘healthcare’ and sex-specific abortion were highlighted.
ICAR women’s cell
The Women’s Cell of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, celebrated ‘International Women’s Day’ on the theme ‘Be bold for change’. T. Pattanayak, joint secretary of the cell, shared her experience as a working mother and how young minds need to be shaped.
There is always a stigma attached to a working mother and achieving success with it is in itself an achievement, she said.
Guest speaker Juliana D’Costa from Shillong said understanding between the genders is the key to a balanced society.
USTM event
The department of Rural Development & department of Social Work at University of Science and Technology Meghalaya celebrated the Day with the women of Jorbil and Maswami villages of Baridua.
The department also opened a centre for rural development at Jorbil to offer training and guidance to rural women.
They will be encouraged by students and faculty members of the department to take up all challenges or problems that they facing in their daily life, said Papiya Dutta, HoD, MRMD.
