Imphal, March 08, 2010: As in other part of the globe, International Women's Day was observed in different parts of the State today.

Under the aegis of Women Committee of United NGO Mission, Manipur, the observance was held along with a public rally in and around Kakching Khunou Bazar.

It was followed by a public meeting at Popular Cinema hall, Kakching Khunou.

At the occasion, various recommendations were adopted.

These include ensuring equal rights and equal opportunities to both men and women by the Government; declaration of March 8, International Women's Day as Restricted Holiday, formulation of a Gender Policy in Manipur and implementation of Gender Budgeting, implementation of Convention of eliminating all forms of discrimination against women, etc.

The public meeting was attended by president of Jamiatul Ulama, Manipur Maulana Syed Ahmed as chief guest and secretary of Rongmei Loubum Panti Gonmei as functional president.

Veteran athlete Salam Ongbi Padmo and co-ordinator of Child Line, Imphal Mala Lisam were also present at the occasion as special guests.

Among those who spoke at meeting, secretary of Tangkhul Baptist Churches K Shimray pointed out that equal rights and equal opportunity between man and woman is still a distant dream more specially for the womenfolk in the hill districts of Manipur.

Unlike their counterparts in the valley districts where there is 33 percent reservation of seats for women in Panchayat and Municipality, womenfolk in the hill districts have not been able to take part in the decision making process even at the village level.

Programme Executive of All India Radio, Imphal Bijaya Yumlembam noted that although International Women's Day is being observed for 100 years now, women are yet to enjoy equal rights and opportunities like their male counterparts.

Pointing out that there is discrimination against daughters by their own mothers even, she called for stopping such discrimination.

Human Rights Initiative (HRI) observed International Women's Day at its office building today along organising a group discussion on the topic of 'Challenges of women human rights defenders in Manipur and measures to overcome them'.

Moderated by Yumnamcha Dilipkumar, president of United Committee Manipur, the discussion was attended by about 30 human rights defenders including Meira Paibis, advocates, journalists, social workers and other rights defenders of Manipur.

Executive director of HRI Lc Jinine delivered the key note address.

Along with discovering various limitations and challenges of non-cooperation from the majority of the people due to lack of social and political consciousness, disunity among the human rights defenders, etc, the discussion acknowledged the spirit and invaluable activities of women human rights defenders of Manipur including the living icon, Irom Chanu Sharmila's struggle.

However, the necessity of imparting human rights education and other update development including the technical know how and importance of absorption of other educated women in the present efforts of the women rights defenders were also realised.

Accordingly, the discussion concluded on the positive note of organising a special training of the rights defenders very soon.

All Manipur Women Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA) observed International Women's Day at Ema Khunthokhanbi Sanglen today.

Giving keynote address, AMAWOVA finance secretary H Manbi said that the day is observed to pay tribute to those women who fought against torture, corruption, killings and criminalisation.

In USA, she said, industrial revolution came into existence after the abolish of feudalism.

But the Government failed to give equal opportunities of work to all its citizens.

This ultimately hurt the sentiments of American women and subsequently set up labour union, she said.

Manbi added that women daily wage earners agitated against textile mill owners in USA in 1857. Speaking as chief guest in the function, Irabot Foundation president Th Iboyaima exhorted all women to be brave like past imas (mothers) and stand against corruption, killings and criminalisation.

Women Society of Seventh-day Adventist Church, Tarung also observed International Women's Day on March 6.The women society leaders offered special prayers for the well-being of women of the world and Manipur in the programme.

International Women's Day was also reportedly observed at the conference hall of Moreh Trade Centre under the joint aegis of Centre for Development Activities, Wangjing and Nehru Yuva Kendra, Chandel.

Additional SP of Moreh Y Ashokumar Singh and SDC Moreh Ph Ibohal Singh were chief guest and functional president of the function which was also attended by DYC Nehru Yuva Kendra, Chandel W Ibohal Singh, vice president of Meetei Council, Moreh N Pulindro and president of Kha-Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup W Keinahal as guests of honour.

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