International Women's Day held across State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 08, 2014: Calls for women's empowerment, de-nunciation of violence against women and demand for framing effective legislation to punish perpetrators of criminal acts against the women marked the International Women's Day observance functions organised by different organisations across the State today.

The State Social Welfare Department today observed the International Women's Day at the State Bal Bhavan, Khuman Lampak on the theme 'equality for women is progress for all' with Social Welfare OSD and MSRRDA CEO SS Chhabra as chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, SS Chhabra denounced the rising cases of crime against women.

Exploitation of women and gender discrimination should be dealt with firmly.

Observing that participation of women in such observations is very low, Chhabra emphasised on the importance of girl child education in order to enable them enjoy higher social status.

There is also a growing need for economic upliftment and provision of modern health-care facilities to women.

Social Welfare Joint Director H Rupachandra said that all women activists should be taken into confidence before enacting any law which can effectively deal with crimes against women.

Social Welfare Director L Ibobi stated it's time women to shed the notion that they should be subservient to men.

International Women's Day observation at the State Bal Bhavan, Khuman Lampak

The International Women's Day was also observed in the training hall of Rural Women and Children Development Welfare Association, Tabungkhok, Imphal West under the aegis of the Manipur State Women's Development Cooperation.

Takyel Zilla Parishad Member A Manimala, Patsoi GP Pradhan N Tomba and Social Welfare Deputy Director Th Joychandra spoke at the gathering.

Meanwhile, the need for Muslim women coming out to take part in several women's issues was stressed at an observance function s Day celebration organised by All Manipur Muslim Women's Cultural Organisation (AMMWCO) at AMMDO office, Hatta War Cemetery Road.

The programme was graced by KT Rahaman, Adviser, AMUCO; Singamayum Mumtaz, president AMMWC; MA Zasir, president PSO Manipur; Md Ali Khan, President, AMMDO and Ph Abdulah Padhan, MMWO as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, President of MMWO, Phundreimayum Abdullah Pathan called upon the Muslim women to come out and join in fighting for issues relating to women.

Stressing on the need to conduct legal awareness programmes for minority women and ensure legal rights for their upliftment, Singamayum Mumtaj, President of AMMWCO urged the male members of the community to encourage participation of women with their veil in various social issues.

Mumtaj also gave a clarion call to all Muslim women to join the fight on crimes against women.

KT Rahaman while recalling the significant contributions of Manipuri women for the wellbeing of the State, underlined the need for Manipuri women to launch a third Nupilal to free the State from the shadow of AFSPA.

MA Zasir said that women have every right to fight for the full implementation of Women Bill that guarantees 33% reservation for women in the Assembly and Parliament which has been sidelined by the Govts.

Md Ali Khan urged all Muslims of the State not to exercise their voting right in the coming Parliamentary elections both in the Inner and Outer PCs in favour of candidates who do not include opening of separate department for Muslims in their manifestos.

The observance was also organised by the Manipur State Social Welfare Board at the Conference Hall of Hotel Imphal with the theme Inspiring Change.

The programme was graced by MSSWB Chairperson Ch Leibakpokpi Devi and former Director of Social Welfare dept, S Saratkumar Sharma as the chief guest and president respectively while Advocate B Supriya Devi and Principal of College of Social Work, Imphal, Dr S Romeobala Devi were the resource persons.

AWCA Churachandpur has formally inducted the first batch of trainees at the Zounu Training Centre, Jacintha's Rehobot, S Munhoi village in Singngat sub-division to commemorate the International Women's Day.

AWCA Secretary and the lone ADC woman member Grace Zamnu said the training programme is meant to impart women the necessary skill to make them self-reliant.

It is for this reason that the first intake of 15 trainees was conducted on the momentous International Women's Day.

DC Churachandpur PK Jha has formally launched the training programme while AWCA consultant Dr Vunglallian Tonsing has lit candles to commemorate the women's day.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Manipur also observed the day at its City office Nagamapal here.

In a function jointly organised by All Manipur Nupi Marup and Working Women's Forum at Irawat Bhavan, CPI Manipur State General Secretary Dr M Nara said that exploitation and crime against women can't be checked until the sense of inequality and corruption are uprooted from the society.

Saying that it was a belief in olden days that a man would be reborn as a woman if a man did sin 108 times, Dr Nara said that the belief showed how the society used to suppress women.

Maintaining that exploitation of weaker sections especially women can't be ended in a society where capitalism is rife, Dr Nara said that upliftment of women is not possible without social security, social justice and equality.

Oppression and suppression are prevalent everywhere and this must be rooted out first, he said and added that only Meiteis did not look down tribals but tribals also subdued their own people sometimes.

As such, it is not right to renew enmity among people of different communities by remembering the past and outdated social taboos prevalent during monarchy, he added.

Regarding politics, Dr Nara said that people generally take politics as elections.

However, election is just a small part of politics, he added.

All Manipur Nupi Marup (AMNM) president S Sorojini, Working Women Forum president L Bedamani and AMNM patron members M Kadambini and T Ibemhal also attended the function.

In another occasion, Women Environmental Protection Force, Manipur, Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagatpa Lup and Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup observed International Women's Day under the theme, 'Inspiring Change' at Ema Keithel today.

WEPF Manipur President Ng Bimolata, JNIMS Ayush Hospital MO-in-charge Dr Ng Mema and senior woman vendor RK Radhesana presented gifts to women vendors of Ema Keithel in connection with the the occasion.

The day was also observed at Kuranganayani Hall at DC Office Complex, Lamphelpat by Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW).

MSCW Chairperson Dr L Ibetombi, MSCW Member June Rose Vaiphei, 9th IRB Commandant W Mamata, Social Welfare Department Director L Ibobi, Social Welfare Department Deputy Director Th Joychandra, Prof RK Lenin of RIMS Psychiatric Department and College of Social Work Director S Saratchandra graced the occasion as dignitaries.