Legal awareness programme on gender sensitive legal measures

Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) in collaboration with National Service Scheme (NSS) Nagaland organized legal awareness programme on gender sensitive legal measures for students of Kohima College on Thursday.
Speaking on the topic of “online violence and exploitation of women and girls”, Chief judicial magistrate (CJM) Kohima and secretary Kohima, district legal service Authority (KDLSA), Mezivolu T Therieh said women were more vulnerable in the social media. She reminded the gathering that using fake ID in social media was an offense.
Therieh said social media created new kind of space and history but many challenges lay ahead in terms of ethical issues, policy and regulatory measures and various legal aspects.  She said information technology and internet led to innovation and economic growth however, it has also created new avenues for malicious actors to perpetrate crimes.
Therieh also highlighted the penalties under IT Act and shared case studies related to social media.
Speaking on “gender equality”,  lawyer, Joshua Sheqi said the topic has been misunderstood, but in course of time the question of gender equality has gained momentum at the international realm as an issue to be reckoned,  which can be traced back to feminism movement ; the vocal campaigners for women’s right.
Referring to Naga women, Sheqi said traditionally Nagas cared for women and girl child, though women were not allowed to be at the forefront in decision making.
He said as per the research comparatively Naga women have higher literacy rate, low maternal mortality, rising sex ratio and quality of life in general better than the national average.
Lawyer, Zheviholi Swu who spoke on “human trafficking and immoral trafficking (prevention) Act” said in Nagaland young boys and girls (adolescents and minor) form the most vulnerable target fell in to the trap of traffickers, due to illiteracy , gullibility, tendency to imitate western culture, adventure, poverty and lacked of meaningful employment in our state.
He said as per, world statistics human trafficking crime was a flourishing trade to the tune of 8 billion dollars in a year and in India 36% of trafficked persons are children, 90% trafficked are between 15-35 years, 54% belonged to SC/ST/OBC and 62% illiterate.
Also speaking on, “basic legal rights” lawyer, Neiteo Koza” said everyone was equal before the law irrespective of status. While highlighting the rights and privileges of the citizens, Koza also urged the students that they should not take law and order in their own hands. She urged the students’ community to protect environment, property, educate fellow friends and not to go with ism. She also shared the consumer rights and its helpline (1800-345-370).
Kohima College, principal, Dr. Watijungshi in his welcome address said everybody must have the knowledge of legal awareness to know what is right and wrong in the fast changing world. He said many people become victim due to ignorance and unawareness.            
The programme was chaired by associate professor SCERT Nagaland Dr. Zavise Rume, introduction of the programme was delivered said by special officer HE Vekrotso Swuro followed by interaction and query from the students.