Two-day intensive workshop on “violence against women and children” was organised by the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Wokha in collaboration with State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) and the Nagaland State Social Welfare Board (NSSWB) on July 26-27.
The first day of the workshop held at district planning conference hall was attended by various civil bodies like the Lotha Eloi Hoho, Lotha Students’ Union, GBs and DBs, Colony chairman and Pastors from different churches in Wokha Town and police personnel.
In a keynote address, NSSWB chairperson, Bano Vinito, exhorted the stakeholders on the need to come together and stand for violence against women.
She encouraged each organisation and individual to step forward and fight the social problem where our women and children do not feel safe. Deliberating on way forward, the participants shared that they would put effort to conduct more awareness at the grassroots and spreading the message through church and community institutions.
The resource persons for the workshops were Gracy Ayee, state Coordinator, SRCW, Ajabu Tungoe, District Coordinator ,SRCW , Lanuienla Imchen, Women Helpline Manager, Jitsiasa Nyusou, Call Responder, 181 . The topics included types of violence against women and children , awareness on various schemes and programme with special emphasis on 181-Women Helpline and Sakhi-One Stop Centre , Legal Entitlements and Psycho Social Support for Victims of gender based violence. IEC materials and documentaries were disseminated.
On the second day at DC Wokha office, a consultative program cum sensitization progarmme for the police department was convened and was also attended by the GBs and DBs who could not attend the day one programme,
In the programme, Bano Vinito emphasised on the need to strengthen convergence effort particularly stressing on police, legal cells, medical personnel and civil societies to come together and work for an end to violence against women
Officer in -charge, Benrio Shito and SDPO Wokha, Phillip Yanthan, gave the statistical report of the crime rates against Women in the district. They informed that, in the past ten years, 65 cases had been registered at the police Station Wokha so far.
The police officials shared their concern and challenges and expressed the need for a separate lock up for women. With the increase in the rate of violence, the police further shared the need to have a full fledged women police station.
Additional deputy commissioner, Wokha, Thavaseelan, addressed the participants on both the days and stressed on the significance of such workshop.
He said with the cooperation from all sections of the society, violence against women and children could be curbed or prevented to make Wokha a safer district.
The ADC said the district administration was committed to the cause and added that efforts were being made to ensure that the grassroots are aware of the specific schemes and programmes for different target group. He said and that similar workshops would be conducted in the months ahead and sought for continued support of the key stakeholders and organizations. The workshop and the meeting with police were moderated by SRCW, Gracy Aye.