Nagaland along with the rest of the world celebrated International Women’s Day on Tuesday under the theme “Pledge for Parity” by organisation different programmes across the state.
In Dimapur, “We for Women”, a helpline working to provide assistance to women facing social and domestic problems, organised a programme commemorating International Women’s Day at The Garden, Supermarket, Tuesday evening. The programme was both a celebration of womanhood and a reflection on the issues women in the present generation faces. In the keynote address, “We for Women” brand ambassador-Bambi Kevichusa said, “Today is a very special day for women all over the world, a day not just for celebration but also a time of reflection on women and men, about where we are, how far we have come and where we are to go from here.” Expressing regret that although women has progressed in all the fields in many places, Kevichusa added that there still were an equal number of places including India and Nagaland where gender equality was a not more than just a dream. She said, the first and foremost step towards gender parity was education and awareness and added that a girl child should be given equal opportunity to that of a son. Delivering words of encouragement, “We Assamese”, Guwahati, director-Nitesh Pandey said, International Women’s Day was a personal matter to everyone and that the day was not to assert superiority on each other, nor was it about petty issues like who get to do the dishes after the dinner, but was initiated by the United Nations to bring socio-political and cultural awareness among human beings.
Nitesh lauded “We for Women” director Vikali A Zhimomi for walking the extra mile to bring about a platform to address the issues of women in Nagaland. He concluded by quoting the famous British stateswoman and politician Margaret Hatcher’s words, “If you want anything said, ask a man, want anything done, ask a woman.”
In his special message, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Dimapur-Shouka Kakheto said, the day was not only to celebrate the achievements made by women in business, cultural, economic or other political arenas but also a day to mark a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
Quoting India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s words, “You can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women,” Kakheto questioned the status of women in India today.
He said, although numerous opportunities were offered to women these days and even though women had more say in every front, India was still a male dominated society and that women were still treated as subordinates or inferior to men. Kakheto also underscored on the provisions laid under the judiciary system which upholds the equality of women and empowers them to be at par with men.
Earlier the programme was hosted by Boqhito Chishi, welcome address was delivered by We for Women director-Vikali A. Zhimomi.
Special presentations were made by Voices of Hope led by Nise Meruno and the first Naga Idol Moanungsang Longkumer who also led the lighting of lantern to mark the occasion. Later a musical extravaganza was held with Ram Dhenu band from Guwahati.
JCC, Kohima: Japfü Christian College (JCC) celebrated International Women’s Day organized by State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW), Nagaland state social welfare board, department of Women Resource Development (WRD) and JCC at its college auditorium, Tuesday. Delivering keynote address, SRCW mission director, Daisy Mezhür pointed out that in reality, there was no gender equality in the state, though status of Naga women was referred as “better” as compared to women in other part of the country.
Stressing on the need for equality in all forms, Mezhür termed education as the “best gift” to a daughter and added that women not create “conflicting situations” to be at par with men rather they should be intellect, acquire quality education and be economically empowered. She also lamented that there are large number of higher secondary dropout girls and a huge number of sexual abuse cases not only in the schools and colleges but also at homes. Speaking on “achieving parity through livelihood intervention”, additional director WRD, R Khrienuo Tachu congratulated JCC for being advanced in implementing the national UGC directive in reality to set up sexual harassment women cell. She informed that WRD was engaged in livelihood intervention programmes towards economic parity under various schemes and added that “appropriate rural technology park” to develop model village was also in the offing. JCC principal, Dr. Visakhonü Hibo also exhorted the gathering; acapella was performed by Tsayem and the boys of JCC, solo by Anguvili Yeptho of BA 6th semester, music recital by Nagaland adolescent girls club and tribute by academy dean JCC, Dr. Bhogen Soraisam. Welcome address and prayer was pronounced by sexual harassment/women cell JCC, Purchila Jamir and closing prayer by DSM JCC, A Husca. The programme was chaired by HoD of English JCC, Thepfusatuo-ü Pienyü. (Correspondent)
DTF, Longleng: International Women’s Day was celebrated at public local ground organized by District Task Force (DTF) on “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)” in collaboration with Phomla Hoichem (PH) and attended by women folk and girl students from various schools in Longleng town. Phom Baptist Christian Association (PBCA) women secretary, Angphen Phom as guest speaker highlighted on the importance of “International Women’s Day” and challenged the girl students present not to be comfortable and satisfied with being average in educational pursuit but to strive hard to achieve excellence. Further, she exhorted the women folk to fully live out the beauty of womanhood by embracing life in oneness with God. The programme was chaired by assistant professor Yingli College, Konchem Phom while short speeches were delivered by DC & chairman of DTF (BBBP), Y.Denngan Avennoho Phom and president Phomla Hoichem, Shamthai Phom. Special song was performed by Chingyau Phom & friends while Good Shepherd School, Longleng performed a dance. CDPO Longleng and member secretary DTF (BBBP), Tauhong Phom proposed the vote of thanks. As part of the celebration volleyball match was played between Phenei Soti Club, Yingli College women team, Longleng town students’ union, and veteran team.
RPP, Peren: Rongmei Pui Phwam (RPP) Peren district celebrated the International Women’s Day at Seventh Day Adventist Community Hall, Samziuram Village with development secretary, Rongmei Baptist Church Association Nagaland, Akeina Gonmei as resource person. Resource person spoke on the topic “women in today’s world” by reflecting on the status of women in the community, state and country as a whole. She asked the women to be healthy, energetic and influential at home, church, society/community, nation and wherever they were placed. Gonmei also called upon the mothers to be role model for their children in every aspect of family life. An elderly person from SDA Church Samziuram, Gangthai Kamei and Rongmei Students Union, Peren district, general secretary Hugiak Gonmei exhorted the gathering. Earlier presidential address was delivered by president RPPP, Lugailiu Kamei, prelude was presented by Chungrei & Co. and the Ramluan Lu was presented by Rongmei Pui Phwam New Jalukie unit. The programme was convened by Athui and compeered by Jianmunliu. Altogether 120 women folks, invitees and well wishers of the community from different villages and town of Peren district participated.
NSS, MVCC: NSS Mountain View Christian College (MVCC) celebrated International Women’s Day at the college auditorium.
Lecturer political science department, Vikato Swu encouraged women folk to continue to fight for their rights and also urged the men folk to support and treat the women as their own mother, sister, wife and daughter. Earlier the programme started with invocation by Awang, special appearance from Keneizolie. As a token of love and care, the women were presented with a rose. The vote of thanks was proposed by Lizi P. Sangtam in the programme chaired by Ngeangyei.
MITE: Modern Institute of Teacher Education (MITE), Kohima observed International Women’s Day. The Programme started with an invocation by student-teacher of MITE, Ruth, speeches were delivered by vice principal Devanand Sinha, assistant professor Niutoli L Yeptho and student-teachers of MITE, Kiboto and Niekulu respectively. The speakers stressed on the theme of “International Women’s Day” pledge for parity and removal of gender discrimination. Special number was presented by current event club of MITE. Vote of thanks was delivered by Chingai and benediction by Kekhronyile.
DLSA Phek: Phek District Legal Services Authority observed International Women’s Day along with Chakhesang Mother’s Association & Phek Area Mother’s Association at Phek town council conference hall under the theme “Pledge for Parity”. The program was chaired by Besuvolu Venuh, invocation pronounced by Moze Nyekha and Zaposhelu Venuh delivered the speech.
MON: International Women’s Day 2016 was celebrated at Mon jointly organized by Mon District Legal Services Authority and the Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK), the apex Women’s organization of the Konyaks at Council Hall, Mon town.
In the programme, MDLSA secretary Phuleto Yeptho delivered the introductory speech on “evolution of international women’s day and pledge for parity” and KNSK president Lomei Konyak proposed the welcome address. Resource persons panel advocate, Limasenla spoke on the topic “Domestic Violence Act & Victim Compensation Act”, APP, Mon, Temsu Masen, spoke on “Women & Child Labour Act and Child Trafficking Act” while panel advocate, Shenyou Walim and Panel Advocate, Dominic Kaiba spoke on “Maintenance Act CrPC 125” and “Right to Education (RTE) for Girl Child” respectively. Later, the World Vision felicitated 12 distinguished women of Mon district. Special number was presented by the advisory board, KNSK. The program concluded with interaction and vote of thanks by General Secretary, KNSK Yeihlem Konyak.
DDLSA: Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA) celebrated International Women’s Day at Zutovi Village, Dhansiripar, Dimapur which was chaired by panel advocate, DDLSA, Livika V Sumi. Chairman DDLSA, Neikuo Kanuo who is also the district and session’s judge, Dimapur, in his key note address expressed the importance of celebrating women’s day. He also appealed to all the women to access their rights provided by law and also to avail the benefits of legal aid which is offered for every woman.
Panel advocates Zacharia M Tetseo, M Glory Sema and Esther K. Aye also spoke on various topic covering Child Rights, Lok Adalat, Women Rights, Right to Information and Motor Vehicle Act.
During the interaction queries were put up relating to adoption and how to avail free legal aid. Vote of thanks was delivered by chairman, Zutovi Village. The program was attended by STH Zutovi village and women from neighboring villages.
PGC: Phek Government College celebrated International women’s Day at the college audio visual room organized by the Women Development Cell. In a power point presentation, assistant professor, Yashikala Jamir, department of Political Science highlighted on the importance of celebrating women’s day in order to enhance worldwide awareness about women and their rights. Principal PGC, Dr. Katoni Jakhalu appreciated the women pioneers who had struggled so much for the benefit of other women. The program was followed by a special song from Nukudulu, B. A 2nd semester; short speeches were shared by Mercy Konyak and Krove Hoshi, 2nd semester students.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by assistant professor, Thejotalu Nienu, department of economics while vote of thanks was given by assistant professor, Diezeno Tase, department of English.
KDLSA: Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) in collaboration with the Mount Olive College, Kohima commemorated the International Women’s Day at the College premise with Public Prosecutor & Ex-Officio Member, KDLSA, Imtiakum as the guest speaker. Imtiakum, highlighted on the brief history of International Women’s Day and emphasized on the theme, “Pledge for Parity” and how “we” should work together in unity to create gender equality. He challenged the women folks to stand up for their rights as the present society has changed tremendously. The program was chaired by panel lawyer (KDLSA) Sunjib Rana, Chief Judicial Magistrate & Secretary KDLSA, Mezivolu T Therieh NJS, welcome address was delivered by vice-principal, Mount Olive College Swede, Nyanbeni Lotha, student of Mount Olive College shared her personal thoughts on the topic “My expectations as a girl child’, assistant professor, Mount Olive College, Kughatoli Aye delivered the vote of thanks.
Minority community Dmu: Celebrating International Women’s Day, the minority communities of Dimapur encouraged women for their participation and contribution in the society. Host of people from different minority communities led by Bishnu Bhattacharjee honoured and felicitated principal, St Mary’s Montessori Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, Neena Dutta for her contribution as women entrepreneur and educationist. She was felicitated by community leaders in presence of president Gorkha Union, Kumar Subba, working president Muslim Council Ahidur Rahman, general secretary, Nagalnad Bhojpuri Samaj, Yoginder Gupta, Marwari Samaj Rajesh Sethi, Kachari Tribal Council Nagaland Mahendra Thousen, NPF Minority Wing Dimapur Division Suresh Paira, Sanjay Dey from Bengali community and youth leaders from different non-Naga community. The gathering was exhorted with the encouraging words by all the community leaders.
KLC: Kohima Law College celebrated International Women’s Day at the college campus, where key note address was delivered by the professor-in-charge for student’s welfare, Kezhokhoto Savi and short speeches were delivered by other professors/teachers including Soni, Tongpok and Limanochet. Several rights meant for women were covered by the speakers, such as the relevant articles of the Constitution of India which provides reservation for women and equality, how a great woman in the Holy Bible Esther stood up to help her people. Few students also shared their mind on how precious a woman was to a family as they do all the domestic work at home and the compassion that a mother has for her child.