SHILLONG, March 14: The Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) on Tuesday organised a seminar which deliberated on gender inclusivity as well as gender rights.
According to a statement, the seminar, which was organised by the School of Theology and Religious Studies and Centre for Gender, MLCU, was thematised on ‘Gender Inclusivity: Embracing the Differences’.
The seminar was also aimed at understanding the current laws relating to gender rights.
“The seminar intended to gain insights from various perspectives to understand the purpose of each individual as being wonderfully created in the image of God, to learn from the lived experience of communities and make efforts to create a society where every individual can live with dignity, a society where every being can grow independently in communion with others,” the statement said.
During the seminar, Advocate Rebina Subba, Founding Director of Shamakami, spoke at length on the rights of transgenders and the legal provisions available for them.
Similarly, Samanda Phanwar, Project Manager, Lamjingshai, shared her experience of working with and for the community members.
During the webinar, community members also shared the discrimination and challenges faced by them.
Dr. Samuel W. Meshack, Dean, School of Theology and Religious Studies, MLCU, informed the purpose of the seminar with a focus on how the social structure needs to change.
Fr. Thomas Ninan, Executive Secretary of Christian Service Agency, on the other hand, elaborated the biblical and theological aspects of gender diversity.
