'Women's role in establishing egalitarian society vital'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 08 2018: The society will flourish only when men and women of every family understand and respect each other , stated Ksh Bimola, former Dean of Social Sciences, Manipur University.

She made the statement while addressing the International Women's Day celebration organised by All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA) on the theme "Let us Carry the Struggle Forward" at GM Hall today.

Speaking as chief guest, Bimola stated that Manipuri women have been facing untold miseries due to many reasons such as discrimination, violence and social atrocities.

She asserted that it is high time to address the difficulties being encountered by Manipuri women and empower them for building an egalitarian society.

In doing so, the role of men is of paramount importance.

'Women's role in establishing egalitarian society vital'

The society will develop only when all the families are developed, she added.

She maintained that Manipuri women have been taking active part in social issues since time immemorial and they would continue to do so.

She emphasised the need of engaging women in core issues pertaining to the society.

Women should not be confined to household works only, she stated.

She also underscored the need to empower women through education which is the only tool to shed light on the society.

The celebration function was also attended by L Memchoubi, president of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibee Apunba Manipur as president; Prof Rose Mangshi Haokip, advisor of Kuki Women Union Manipur; Atompi Kamei, vice-president of Kabui Mother Association; Janatun Begum, Associate Professor, Manipur College and Y Kunjarani, AMAWOVA president as guests of honour.

Department of Adult Education (State Literacy Mission Authority) also celebrated the International Women's Day at the conference hall of Directorate of Adult Education at Babupara.

The celebration function was attended by M Joy Singh, Secretary (AE); Kholia Larho, Joint Secretary (AE); Wahengbam Joykumar, ombudsman, MGNREGS Imphal West and Gaijeipou Thaimei, Assistant Director, Department of Adult Education Head Office.

The International Women's Day was also celebrated jointly by Socialist Students Union of Manipur (SSUM) and Manipur Proletariat Peoples Democratic Union at Manipur Press Club.

H Achouba Sharma, editor of Sanaleibak daily; Rinku Khumukcham, editor of Imphal Times daily eveninger; Dr Sapam Dilip, Lecturer, LMS Law College; Edina Yaikhom, EEVFAM general secretary and Nongthombam Sarjubala, convenor, International Women's Day Observation Committee were present at the occasion as the presidium members.

Convenor of SSUM publicity and propaganda committee, Naorem Tanoranjan delivered key note.

The day was also celebrated by All India Trade Union Congress, Manipur at Manipur Press Club wherein Dr M Nara, president of AITUC Manipur spoke on topics related to women.

The occasion was attended by M Sakhi Devi, president of All Manipur Nupi Marup; Y Indrani, president of Mid Day Meal Workers' Union Manipur and Tama Devi, president of Roadside Vendors Welfare Association as the presidium members.

Manipur University Working Women Association (MUWWA) and Women's Studies Centre, Manipur University also celebrated the International Women's Day on the theme "Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women's Lives" at Women Facility Centre of the university.

Vice-Chancellor, MU, Professor Adya Prasad Pandey graced the function as chief guest; Dr Ch Sheelaramani, Head, Department of English, DM College of Arts as guest of honour and Salam Subhashini Devi, vice-president, MUWWA as president.

A technical session on the topic "Women as Agents of Change" was conducted as part of the function.