Dropping Nemcha from Ministry : Women groups decry, seek explanation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 02 2020: While strongly condemning the removal of lone woman Minister Nemcha Kipgen from the Council of Ministers, the All Manipur Tribal Women Union (AMTWU), the All Manipur Nupi Marup (AMNM) and the All Manipur Muslim Women Organisation (AMMWO) have asked the Biren Government to come out with a convincing explanation for dropping the lone woman Minister.

The three women organisations held a joint meeting at Hotel Classic today.

Briefing media persons after the meeting, AMTWU convenor and former MP Kim Gangte said that the BJP-led coalition Government showed their utter disrespect for the womenfolk by dropping the lone woman Minister from the Council of Ministers.

It was an act of keeping the entire womenfolk of the State away from the decision making process, she said.

Dropping Nemcha Kipgen from the Council of Ministers was an act of gender discrimination.

Even though it was BJP which coined the slogan 'Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao', the BJP-led Government's action totally contradicted the slogan, Kim Gangte said.

"Although AMTWU, AMNM and AMMWO do not demand reinstatement of Nemcha Kipgen as a Cabinet Minister, we do demand an explanation from the Government and the Chief Minister for dropping the lone woman Minister", she asserted.

Women should be equally empowered as men and it is essential to give women their rightful place in the decision and policy making process, she said.

She said that AMTWU, AMNM and AMMWO are prepared to take to the matter to National and international organisations concerned.

AMNM president Th Sakhi said that everyone ought to condemn the removal of the lone woman Minister from the Council of Ministers at a time when the movement for 33 per cent reservation for women in State Assemblies and Parliament is gaining momentum across the country.

Questioning the competency of the newly inducted Ministers, Sakhi asserted that development of a Nation or society will remain an impossible task until and unless women are given their rightful place in the legislature and in decision making.

AMMWO president Janu Begum asked the Government if there was any failure on the part of the woman Minister which warranted her removal from the Council of Ministers.

Highlighting the alleged discrimination and suppression of women in the society, Janu Begum said she often feels the need for 3rd Nupi Lan considering the pitiable status of women in the contemporary society.

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