The Nagaland State Commission for Women, in collaboration with the district administrations and allied departments, organised Mahila Jan Sunwai (public hearings) in Niuland and Mokokchung and Wokha on March 10 to address women’s grievances and promote awareness on women’s rights and welfare schemes.
At Niuland, the public hearing was held at the DC Conference Hall and organised in collaboration with the District Administration, District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), and the Department of Social Welfare. Resource persons including Sakhi One Stop Centre (OSC) centre administrator Alika Awomi, panel lawyer Khumchuba, and commission member Kekhrienuo Meyase shared insights on government initiatives, grievance redressal mechanisms, and women empowerment.
Addressing the gathering, Meyase encouraged women to assert their rights while stressing that the law should not be taken into one’s own hands in dealing with societal issues. She highlighted the importance of collective efforts involving the church and all sections of society in addressing social evils and injustice.
The programme also featured an interaction session where participants raised queries on issues such as domestic violence, legal measures for self-help group (SHG) bank defaults, and other gender-based injustices. Officials informed that the week-long nationwide public hearing drive aims to address complaints related to domestic violence, workplace harassment, maternity benefits, abandonment, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based injustice.
Dedicated benches comprising officials from the Nagaland State Commission for Women, District Administration, District Legal Services Authority, police authorities, and legal experts were set up to ensure follow-up mechanisms for swift grievance redressal.
Earlier , the programme was chaired by CDPO Niuland Benjamin Sema while the vote of thanks was delivered by S Boloka Jimo. The event was attended by members from Sumi Totimi Loka, officials from DPRO, police officers, EAC Niuland, Kelengunuo Solo, and CDPO Niuland, Tohokhu.
Mokokchung: Mahila Jan Sunwai was organised at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Mokokchung under the aegis of the National Commission for Women.
Delivering the keynote address, deputy commissioner Ajit Kumar Verma emphasised the need for collective efforts from government departments, civil society organisations, and community leaders to ensure the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women. He reiterated the district administration’s commitment to strengthening support systems and ensuring women have access to justice and welfare services. The public hearing session was chaired by chairperson of the Nagaland State Commission for Women W. Nginyeih Konyak.
During the session, women from various parts of the district presented their grievances directly before the commission, which assured that the cases raised would be examined thoroughly and appropriate steps taken for speedy justice and support.
Earlier, the programme began with a prayer by gender specialist Nukshinaro, followed by a welcome address from District Mission Coordinator, Mission Shakti, Moamenla Longkumer. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by case worker of Sakhi One Stop Centre, Mokokchung, M. Ajungla Longchar.
WOKHA: A Mahila Jan Sunwai was conducted at the DC’s Conference Hall in Wokha on March 9 as part of a nationwide initiative of the National Commission for Women, New Delhi, in collaboration with the Nagaland State Commission for Women.
According to a DIPR report, the programme was organised in partnership with the district administration and the district legal services authorities to commemorate International Women’s Day and reaffirm the commitment towards ensuring women’s safety, dignity, and access to justice.
The hearing was chaired by member of the Nagaland State Commission for Women Akokla Longchar. In her address, she highlighted various challenges faced by women in different spheres of life, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, early teenage pregnancy, verbal abuse, and workplace harassment. She said such issues affect not only women and girls but also society as a whole.
Longchar stressed the importance of awareness regarding legal safeguards that protect women’s rights, prevent violence, and ensure justice. She further urged organisations such as women’s hohos to play a proactive role in educating citizens and creating awareness among both men and women about these legal protections.
During the programme, Sakhi-One Stop Centre, Wokha referred two cases to the member of the Nagaland State Commission for Women for hearing.