SHILLONG, Feb 16: In words exhibiting empowerment, Congress candidate from Khliehriat, Jhanika Siangshai, has vowed to create employment opportunities for women who are into flesh trade if she is elected in the February 27 Assembly polls.
Airing concern on the increasing number of women sex workers in her constituency, Siangshai told reporters here on Thursday that women are forced into prostitution due to poverty and lack of employment opportunities.
“I want to totally eradicate flesh trade from my constituency by reaching out to these women. It is really sad to see their children being left on the streets,” the 28-year-old Congress candidate, who is contesting against sitting MLA and UDP candidate, Kyrmen Shylla, and former MLA and NPP candidate, Nehlang Lyngdoh, said.
On the other hand, Siangshai flagged the plight of the people of East Jaintia Hills who are under duress since the NGT-imposed ban on coal mining in the state.
“People who were rich when the mining was still on have not become very poor. The ban on coal mining has led to several problems. We are seeing the rise in dropout rates and drug addiction among the youth due to frustration and due to lack opportunities,” she said, while calling for expediting the steps to resume scientific mining in the district.
The Congress candidate is confident that she will sail through the contest with the help of people’s support and trounce money power.
All India Congress Committee media coordinator, Bobbeeta Sharma said that the party remains committed to addressing the root cause of the problem of HIV/AIDS by providing of alternative livelihood to these women. “As a society it is important not to victimise women who are into flesh trade. We need to help these women by providing alternative livelihood options,” Sharma said.
It is worth noting that the State Congress is fielding 10 women candidates in the upcoming elections.
On this, the AICC media coordinator Bobbeeta Sharma told reporters that the party has always encouraged women in politics.
Sharma recalled that the party had women MLAs, women cabinet ministers in Meghalaya, working president at party level, woman Rajya Sabha member, and National Commission for Women member from Meghalaya.
According to her, Congress acknowledges the importance of women participation in decision making in governance.
