CM pledges to empower women
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 15 2021:
Chief Minister N Biren said that the Government is putting forth every possible effort for empowering the women of the state by implementing various initiatives and schemes to strengthen their livelihood, security and dignity.
The CM was attending the 15th Foundation Day of Manipur State Commission for Women and launch function of a two-day 'Socio-Cultural and Political Convention of North East Women' held at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal on Wednesday.
Speaking as chief guest of the function, Biren pointed out that the government has constructed and inaugurated seven women's markets in different hill districts and the constructions for another 10 are being taken up.
The Manipur Startup Scheme was introduced to support entrepreneurs in the state and many of the entrepreneurs, who received support under the scheme, are women.
As per Annual Report of 2018-19, Manipur topped the list of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) business registrations among the North Eastern states and 50 per cent of these businesses are owned by women, he said and further mentioned that out of the 7,106 loans disbursed under PM SVANidhi to street vendors of the state, 94 per cent of the beneficiaries are women.
Stating that Manipuri women are more empowered as compared to their counterparts in other parts of the country, the CM observed that several top posts in administrative and police departments are being held by women in the state.
The Government has taken up various steps for the safety and security of women.
All-women police stations were also established in different districts.
Under the social welfare department, 16 One Stop Centres have been established to support women in distress.
A 24X7 toll free Women Helpline has been made functional since the installation of the present government, he added.
National Commission for Women joint secretary A Asholi Chalai said that the commission has been organising several seminars, conventions and awareness programmes as well as research studies to improve the socio-cultural and political condition of women in the northeast states.
Resolutions adopted at the end of the two-day convention will be taken up for necessary follow up actions, she said.
She also told the gathering that one woman is raped every hour and 10 Dalit women are raped every day in India.
It is also shameful to mention that 88 cases of crimes against women are recorded in the country on daily basis.
Young women, who go to metropolitan cities in search of jobs and livelihood, often become victims of gender crimes and the state governments need to make necessary measures to provide employment opportunity to them in their home states to minimise such crimes.
She also stressed the need for an introspection to increase the number of women representatives in decision making bodies.
On the occasion, the CM along with other dignitaries released the Annual Journal of Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) titled 'Women News Horizon (Vol-V)'.
The programme was also attended by MSCW chairperson professor Binota Mein-am, Manipur University vice-chancellor professor N Lokendro, BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda, Bharat Vikas Parishad national organisation secretary Suresh Jain, chairpersons of State Commission for Women of various North East states and others.