SHILLONG, March 9: Women achievers with experience from diverse backgrounds, age, and professions shared their journeys and asked questions of the stereotypes during a panel discussion on the theme of “Evolution of Matrilineality: Women in Leadership” held here on Saturday.
The panel discussion was part of a post-lunch session held after the celebration of International Women’s Day on the theme “Accelerate Action,” organised by the state government.
The discussion was moderated by Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Times and the panellists included Iamonlang Syiem (Chairperson, Meghalaya State Commission for Women), Badarisha M Lyndem (former Chief Engineer, Department of Public Health Engineering), Dr Helen J Uriah (District Mental Health Officer, West Jaintia Hills), Wansuk Myrthong (ASI Police and Everest Summiteer) and Samanda Pyngrope (Design Practitioner and owner, Karaki Design Lab).
Through incisive, yet in a non-threatening manner, the moderator elicited excellent responses from the panellists on diverse topics covering culture, tradition, family, personal achievements, violence, professional atmosphere and political participation.
The honest sharings highlighted the male-dominated culture in the workplace and public service, the responsibilities of the woman (especially the “khatduh”), which often took precedence over profession, the stereotyping (a woman doctor was looked upon as “kong nurse”), the high incidence of violence against women, et al. Yet the grit, determination and resilience including support from family and partners, led to the achievement to the highest level.
The quick and crisp responses kept the audience very interested, and sharing from ASI Wansuk, who was the only woman in the 59-strong trainees at the Mountaineering Institute, which culminated in her becoming an Everest Summiteer, was applauded wholeheartedly.
Samanda Pyngrope, the youngest among the panellists, said that women today have to equip themselves with technological knowledge because much of the work and networking with people across the country and the globe is done online. She operates her business from home and provides services to clients on demand.
Iamonlang said that matriliny has evolved but perhaps not fast enough and women needed to work together to help address issues such as domestic violence and other forms of abuses that they suffer in silence. The State Commission was established because of that need.
Engineer Badarisha said it is tough to be at the top of the pyramid in the Department she headed because the majority of engineers working with her are men and they are not used to taking orders from a woman. She also said that very often in official meetings she is the only women in the room.
At the end, while the achievements of panellists and other women in the state were appreciated and applauded, one was left wondering whether it was because of the evolution of matriliny or because of individual grit with support of family that led to women taking up leadership roles. Will evolution come from within the matrilineal society or will it be pressured from forces beyond the state, such as reservation for women
and access to central schemes, which will challenge the situation and bring about equity.
A young lady asked why Khasi women should be told to marry only a Khasi and that I they married a non-tribal they and their offsprings would lose the Khasi ST status, when the choice of a partner in marriage was a fundamental right. None of the panellists answered that question and the moderator said that would have been a good question for politicians to have answered in the inaugural session.
Director of Bethany Society, Carmo Noronha, who sat through the entire session, said it was an invigorating afternoon. Dr Judith, who leads the NGO called ‘WISE’ said she was happy to listen to the panellists each of whom spoke from their hearts.
