Women have their say on what they expect from lone woman Minister
Improvement of women status, putting an end to escalating crimes against women uppermost in the minds of the people, need for women policy underlined
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 30 2012: Rose Mangshi, President, Kuki Women's Union
"Minister AK Mirabai would work for enactment of an Act that can put an end to all the crimes being perpetrated against women in Manipuri society today.

She should also work for some programmes and policies for ensuring sustainable livelihood for widows who are daily struggling for survival and bring back all the commercial sex workers (CSWs) to the mainstream.

More importantly, AK Mirabai should stay away from the usual habit of the MLAs and Ministers to think about their posts before anything else" .

Sobita Mangsatabam, Secretary, Women Action Development
"As a Cabinet Minister, AK Mirabai should take up necessary measures to mitigate the sufferings of the people, particularly that of women in Manipuri society today.

The problems being faced by the women are manifold ranging from domestic violence to conflict situation and HIV/AIDS.

The problems of the widows are even more seriously.

To pay necessary attention to all these problems, there is the need for formulating a women policy in Manipur today.

The policy should also be able to address the problem of gender inequality.

Moreover, there is the need for rehabilitating the commercial sex workers and open a helpline for them" .

AK Mirabai lights the inaugural candle at the International Women's Day 2011 & Women Expo-2011

Ima Likla Leima , President, Ima Panthoibi Sana Keithel
"We should be proud of the fact that for the first time in the political history of Manipur, we are having two women MLAs and one woman Minister.

They should play a pivotal role in working out some provisions to end the suffering of the people, particularly the womenfolk who are being subjected to all sorts of discriminations and crimes.

As a Minister AK Mirabai should avoid the common mistake of elected MLAs and Ministers who said one thing before the election and another thing after the election" .

Anwari Noorjahan - President, Pangal Women Organisation
"Despite odds against them, women by nature have the will power, and I hope Minister AK Mirabai would perform her duties understanding this fact.

To ensure proper functioning of the State Women Commission, there is the need for appointing a retired Judge as the Chairman.

Moreover, Manipur Women Rights Commission needs to be made fully operational.

I hope AK Mirabai would look into all these issues.

She should also initiate measures to stop violence and crime against women.

Is any of the culprits involved in the crimes against women given any befitting punishment?" .

Bineka Lukram , Khurai Kongpal Sajor Leikai, MPhil student, IGNOU
"In the development of the State, social welfare has a great role to play.

So, obviously, appointing AK Mirabai as the Minister of Social Welfare is good news.

But taking into consideration of the fact that Social Welfare Department has been existing only in name sake all these years, I would like Minister AK Mirabai to ensure all the officials of the Department do something which is worthwhile.

There is also the need to improve the economic condition of the women and come up policy to stop crimes against women" .

M Mayabati , Class X , Kiddies' Corner High School
"It is great that three women MLAs have been elected for the first time in the State Assembly and one of them has been inducted in the Ministry.

As a Minister AK Mirabai should do her best to improve the present status of women in Manipur.

Her success in the task and living up to the public expectation would also encourage other women leaders to enter politics and pave the way for participation of greater number of women in the decision making process in future.

Moreover, I would the new government to pay attention to improvement of law and order situation in Manipur and bring peace and harmony" .

Moirangthem Khayaluxmi, General Secretary Ibotonsana Hr Sec School
"AK Mirabai is not just a woman; she is a public leader now and as a public leader, I would like her to work for the upliftment of women status in the society and help in steering the course of the society to the path of development, because no society can develop without the contribution of women.

So, I would like the government to work out some policies or programmes to ensure protection of women from exploitation in the society.

There should also be policy so that the women vegetable sellers on the roadsides of Khwairamband Bazar and other places are not subjected to any sort of harassment.

I have full confidence that Minister AK Mirabai would look into all these issues" .

Thongnam Stephee Chanu, General Secy, GP Women's College
"Like many others, I feel proud of the fact that an elected woman MLA (MIrabai) has been appointed as the Minister of Social Welfare and Co-operation.

I have full confidence that she would live up to the expectation of the people of the people.

I would like her to work for ensuring improving the economic status of women as well as other weaker sections of the society in Manipur.

She should also pay attention to problems being faced by students in GP Women's College and other educational institutions" .

M Sweety Chanu, Class X, HRD Academy
"I feel very proud that AK Mirabai has been inducted as a Cabinet Minister.

Even if men and women are said to be equal in the eyes of law, we have been witnessing that the women are always at the receiving end and becoming victims of various crimes.

In such a situation, as a Minister of Social Welfare and Co-operation, I would like Minister AK Mirabai to take up some concrete measures to put an end to all these crimes.

I would also like her to take up some positive measures towards rehabilitation of women who have gone astray in the fight for survival" .

Maryta Chabungbam , Class X, Nirmalabas H/S
"Low participation of women in politics in a patriarchal social set up is understandable, but for development to take place, contribution of both men and women is essential.

So, electing three women MLAs namely O Landhoni, AK Mirabai and Nemcha Haokip and then one of them (AK Mirabai) becoming a Minister is a great opportunity for the womenfolk to take part in the nation building process.

We should also not forget the fact that the highest post of President in India is hold by a woman and we have earlier seen the able statesmanship by a woman leader in the form of Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister of the country" .