State observes International Women's Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 08 2013: As observed elsewhere, the International Women's Day was observed today at Kuki Inn here under the aegis of World Vision India.

Addressing the gathering a chief guest, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai lamented that women's participation in administration remains nominal even though 33 per cent seats have been reserved for women Panchayats and Municipal Councils.

Though 33 per cent of Panchayat Members and Municipal Council Members are women, they share very little when it comes to decision making, Mirabai said.

These women representatives function as just namesakes while the actual work or decision making is done by their husbands.

Observing that this is not a good sign, Mirabai exhorted all women representatives to face all the professional challenges valiantly and work according to their own conscience using their wits, skill and intelligence.

If women continue to depend on men, neither the Indian Constitution nor any volume of laws would succeed in alleviating their socio-economic and political position, she asserted.

Inauguration of two-day International Women's Day observation organised by Manipur State Commission for women

Women should realise their own capabilities and the society ought to recognise capabilities of women.

Although women have been shouldering momentous responsibilities since the dawn of civilization, they are seen and treated as the weaker section both in the family and the society at large.

One basic reason for the inferior complex attached to women is their dependence on men, Mirabai stated.

For women to be self-reliant, education and economic independence are a must.

Women should never see themselves as the weaker section.

Women should never lose heart because they are living with HIV or because their husbands have expired.

She claimed that Social Welfare Department has been working hard to bring back rape victims as well as commercial sex workers to the mainstream.

The function was graced by Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Ram Muivah as guest of honour and World Vision India Associate Director Samuel Thereih as functional president.

The International Women's Day was also observed by the women committee of the United NGOs Mission Manipur at Lamyanba Shanglen.

The observance also featured a mela where eatable items produced by women put up for exhibition and sale.

The International Women's Day was observed at Singjamei Super Market complex too under the joint aegis of CORE, Forum for Indigenous Perspectives and Action (FIPA), Women in Governance (WING), Community Network Empowerment (CONE) and the All Manipur Nupi Manbi Association (AMANA) with support from MACS.

The Working Women's Forum, Manipur observed International Women's Day 2013 at Nilakuthi.

The International Women's Day observance held at JN Dance Academy was organised by the Kanglei Chanura Chaokhat Lamching Lup.

At DRDA Hall of the Imphal West Deputy Commissioner's office complex, a two-day observance of the International Women's Day was inaugurated.

Among others, the observance function organised by Manipur State Commission for Women was attended by the Commission Chairperson Dr L Ibetombi Devi, vice chairperson of Board of Governors, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan L Tilotama, DC (IW) K Radhakumar Singh, Commission Member June Rose Vaiphei and Member H Piteshori Devi.

The day was also observed by All Manipur Nupi Marup, Manipur Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee and Chaokhat Khongthang Nupee Lup at their respective office complexes.