TURA: Members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Committee on women empowerment held a meeting with the NGOs and government officials of West, South and South West Garo Hills with regards to crime against women and children, trafficking of women and related issues here on Friday.
The meeting was attended by MLAs Ampareen Lyngdoh, H. Shangpliang, Miani D Shira, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Ram Singh, representatives of various NGOs and government officials.
Chairperson and MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh informed that the committee had come here to discuss the issues women are facing and also to hear the grievances of the citizens of Tura on all issues in relation to women empowerment.
She also expressed her gratitude to all men present at the meeting saying that their presence ensures their willingness to help and protect the rights of women of the society.
She said even though the state is predominantly matrilineal in nature, it is disturbing to hear frequent cases of rape and murder of women including abuse of minors and trafficking of women.
She said the committee has decided to find out why and what are the factors leading to this and the efforts of the district administration and NGOs to immediately address these issues.
Shangpliang also shared his concern with regards to crime and inequality of women towards employment opportunities and other facilities like health care provided by different centres in the state.
Miani also raised the issue of domestic violence in the region and said that these cases should be solved amicably but considering the seriousness of the case it needs to be reported and act according to law or can be reported to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Committee members on Women Empowerment directly.
Various members of the NGOs comprising of New Tura Development Forum, Women’s Organisations including Mother’s Union, Tura shared their grievances and highlighted different issues faced by them while dealing with these cases.
Rev. Frithing Sangma who looks after the Women Economic Development Society informed that most of the family does not want to report domestic violence cases to the police or One Stop Crisis Centre terming it as a family matter and due to which the violence against women continues in the society.
13 cases of domestic violence
As per the information provided by the officer in charge, Women Police Cell, Tura GT Sangma there are 13 cases of domestic violence reported since 2014 till date and out of which 11 cases had been disposed and two are pending in the district council and one is in the DC’s office court.
Mothers’ Union president, Balsa Sangma shared her experiences of dealing with these cases and said that in one such case a 13-year-old had been married to her step father and had been physically abused by the step father for years and now the case has been forwarded to the court.
Programme Manager from Bakdil Rakseng Marak also informed that few men are into gambling and drinking in various areas which is a cause of concern and the womenfolk of the area is trying to control them by protesting their activities.
While discussing the facilities provided to the pregnant mothers in the hospital, the MCHO, Dr I M Sangma said that the 50 bed maternity and child hospital caters to more than 100 patients and informed that Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is quite high with 270 IMR in 2017-18 and 293 in 2018-19 including teenage pregnancies.
