SHILLONG, April 3: The Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei (LKSK), an apex body of 28 women’s organisations from East Khasi Hills District, has approached the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council with a memorandum demanding a separate legislation empowering women to take part in the affairs and functioning of the Dorbar Shnong.
Members of the LKSK, led its president Theilin Phanbuh, met KHADC Chief Executive Member Titosstarwell Chyne at his chamber recently and submitted the memorandum.
In a statement issued here on Monday, LKSK general secretary Tentiness Swer said that they have urged the KHADC to allow women to take part in the affairs of the Dorbar Shnong.
“Women should be party in any decision to ensure the smooth functioning of the Dorbar Shnong. It will also allow all the residents including women and men to be part of the decision making process,” Swer said.
According to her, the LKSK has been raising this issue with the KHADC since 2011.
She further said that there are many localities where women are allowed to be part and parcel of the Dorbar Shnongs. “But such practice is yet to be followed by all the Dorbar Shnong,” Swer added.
It may be mentioned that traditionally women are not allowed to partake in the affairs of the Dorbar Shnong but Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei is of the opinion that time is ripe for traditions to be changed so that women are allowed to participate in the functioning of the Dorbar and also permitted to contest elections to the traditional body.
