By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 2: Synjuk Kynthei, founded in 1947 by a visionary – (L) Justman Swer, a man who realised back then that women needed special assistance and protection because of their gender, even in a matrilineal society, observed its 75th year at Step by Step School here on Saturday.
On the occasion, the current president of the Synjuk Kynthei, Amy Smith Rangad, recalled all those exemplary women leaders who have led the organisation since its inception and who have added value to it over the decades. They include (L) Silverence Swer, Sitimon Sawian, Lisimon Sawian, Norah Evelyne Shullai (Kong Rani) Queenie Rynjah, Bluebell Marbaniang, Sylvia Pariat, Bellilian Warjri among others. It is noteworthy that this organisation, in its very early years, recognised the need to set up crèches at Mylliem and other rural areas. They also had special interventions for the disabled. At least five of the members of Synjuk Kynthei are Padma Shree awardees. Family members of the members were also invited to the special function.
Among those named by Amy Rangad as being sources of help and encouragement to the Synjuk Kynthei included (L) Mr Shrolenson Marbaniang, (L) Ardhendu Chaudhuri and former MLA and Minister, Manas Chaudhuri.
Speaking at the function, chief guest Dr Badapling War (Padma Shree) lauded the Synjuk Kynthei for relentlessly pursuing their objectives despite the reduced membership. Dr War spoke of the need for more women’s organisations that would take up the challenges the women face particularly in the aspect of early marriage and teenage pregnancies which put women’s lives in jeopardy and leads to a cycle of malnutrition and poverty which reduce the productivity of women.
Stating that Meghalaya follows the matrilineal system of lineage and women have right to inherit property but that many women still need special protection to access their rights.
Quoting Lakshmi Puri, Deputy Executive Director, UN Women, who said, “We need to respond to violence against women and girls as a matter of urgency. Now more than ever women’s organizations are needed,” Dr War said that while many laws have been enacted to protect women and guarantee them more rights, laws alone are inadequate. Women’s organisations are needed to create mass awareness on women’s rights. She said two areas are of great concern and they are women heading homes as single parents and women’s illiteracy and these need to be tackled with urgency.
Speaking of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set up by the United Nations, of which one is to empower women to reach their full potential by 2023, Dr War wondered if that goal is attainable.
She urged women NGOs to get to the root of the matter and tackle problems at their root and for that much research is needed on the status of women.
“It is important to enquire what we are teaching our children and whether they are receiving holistic education. The National Education Policy 2020, with its holistic, integrated, multi-disciplinary curriculum would hopefully address the needs of our children approach,” Dr War said, adding that emotional maturity and mental health are integral to the education process.
Guest of honour, former Principal of Shillong College, Dr MPR Lyngdoh, recalled her years with the Synjuk Kynthei and how the women generously gave of their time to the organisation. Drawing the attention of the audience to the present challenges in society from mental health to drug addiction and the high number of people living with HIV-AIDS, Dr Lyngdoh said, “How do we even begin to tackle these multiple challenges?”
She exhorted parents to be available to their children and to keep a watch on their screen time since mobile phone addiction is a new problem today. “While mobile phones are needed for online classes and for internet research, addiction to mobile phones reduces the productivity of youth,” Dr Lyngdoh said.
On the occasion, the Synjuk Kynthei also released a booklet on the journey of the organisation over 75 years and the ups and downs and the moments of joy when they were able to donate a sum of Rs 1 lakh to the Nursing School of Dr Gordon Roberts Hospital or when they rendered their services to Mercy Home — the home for the elderly — and how they held their little sales of materials they knitted or sewed just so they can assist those in need.
The Synjuk Kynthei is today an 18-member band but they intend to grow the organisation by getting younger members to join them.