SHILLONG, April 6: In a distinctive celebration of the party’s Foundation Day, the BJP Garo Hills unit marked the occasion by launching a year-long women-centric initiative aimed at strengthening the core of Meghalaya’s matrilineal society.
State BJP vice president and Tura MDC, Bernard N Marak, unveiled a 365-day campaign titled ‘BIEMA’ — an acronym for Beneficiary Identification, Empowerment, Motivation, and Awareness — with the vision to ‘Empower Women through Women.’
Speaking at the event, Marak emphasised the deep cultural roots of the matrilineal system in the tribal society of the Garo Hills, calling the initiative a tribute to the traditional role of women in hill communities. “This initiative, named BIEMA, is solely aimed at strengthening the role of women in the matrilineal society of our tribal state,” he declared.
The campaign will focus on encouraging women’s participation in both social and political spheres, inspiring them to take on leadership roles to preserve and promote the values of their matrilineal heritage.
“Many women are yet to take up active responsibilities in our society. Women should be socially and politically active to lead, protect, and transform our matrilineal society, which carries unique values,” Marak said.
Reaffirming support from the BJP-led central government, he assured that all women-centric schemes and benefits would be delivered effectively over the course of the campaign.
“All support required from the BJP government at the Centre will be delivered without fail,” he added.
Special emphasis will be placed on Central government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), motherhood and maternity benefit programmes, women empowerment initiatives, financial assistance, and loan facilities.
“We will also ensure that all central schemes meant for women are delivered to the beneficiaries without fail,” Marak reiterated.
A key component of BIEMA will involve awareness and training programmes for female Nokmas (traditional custodians of land and clans) and women chairpersons of Village Employment Councils (VECs), equipping them with a deeper understanding of their influential roles.
“We will ensure that the Nokmas and VEC chairpersons — who are women — gain proper awareness of their unique role in Garo society,” he said.
As the BJP commemorates its foundation with this culturally grounded and future-oriented campaign, BIEMA aims to spotlight the intrinsic power of women in shaping the Garo Hills, while reinforcing the party’s commitment to grassroots empowerment.
“Matrilineal society is our unique identity, and for the next 365 days, we will work hard to strengthen women through women,” Marak concluded.
