DIMAPUR — The Kohima district administration, in collaboration with the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), Kohima, held a Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) sensitisation programme on ‘Village Council Act, customary laws, social audits and creating women and child-friendly proposals under VDB’ at Sechü Zubza village council hall on September 21.
Delivering the welcome address, the SDO of Sechü Zubza, Tiayanger Jamir, gave a brief introduction to BBBP scheme and emphasised the government’s efforts towards the all-round development of women and children in the education sector, health sector and financial sector.
Speaking on the ‘Village Council Act,’ he mentioned the importance of the 33% reservation for women and urged for the inclusion of women in decision and policy-making at the village level, stating an update from DHEW Kohima. He added that women’s representation at the grassroots was essential as only women’s interests and needs could be best represented by the women themselves.
He further urged the village council and village development board to focus on five aspects namely schools, hospitals, water supply, public distribution system and government schemes as those factors are essential for making the lives of women better.
Visielie Savi, block development officer (BDO) of Sechü Zubza, spoke on ‘Social audits and sensitisation on creating women and girl child-friendly proposals under VDB fund.’
He explained at length the meaning of social audit, its benefits, importance and vision. He stated that social audits were not a means to act as a check on the government but rather as a fact-finding process. He has termed social audits as powerful tools for social transformation, community participation, and government accountability.
Speaking on ‘Women centric programmes and schemes, Kesoneinuo Kense, gender specialist at DHEW, Kohima, gave a brief introduction to DHEW and its activities. She also explained at length the BBBP scheme, Sakhi-OSC, Women Helpline 181, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Nagaland Adolescent Girls’ Club (NAGC) and Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts (SSA).
A total of 157 participants comprising representatives from village councils, VDBs, SHGs, women and youth organisations from various villages under Sechü Zubza block attended the programme.
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