DIPR
DIMAPUR, February 6
The Government of India had set up a High Level Committee on the Status of Women to undertake comprehensive study to understand women in India and to evolve appropriate policy interventions based on a contemporary assessment of women’s needs. The committee comprises of a chairperson, a member secretary and 17 members.
The High Level Committee on the Status of Women New Delhi headed by the Chairperson, Dr. Pam Rajput and her team members paid a visit to Christ King Higher Secondary School for a brief interaction with the members of the Nagaland Adolescent Girls’ Club (NAGC) on February 5. Adolescent girls who attended the meet enthusiastically interacted with the team, and shared their ambitions in life, and their various activities.
Dr. Monisha Behal a member of the team informed them of the Skills Development Program of the Government of India through which young people can receive training in various fields. Dr. Simrit Kaur, one of the members shared about her experiences in other states such as Bihar, where adolescent girls have gone to create health awareness with girls in their communities. Dr. Ravi Verma, one of the team members shared on the importance of having similar activities for adolescent boys as well. The committee, after their visit to Christ King School, the team visited the women prison cell at Kohima Jail. The team also held a meeting with the Nagaland State Commission for Women, Directorate of Social Welfare, Nagaland State Social Welfare Board and the State Resource Centre for Women. The departments made a brief presentation of the problems/loopholes that had been observed in the various centrally sponsored schemes/ programs being implemented by their respective departments. The committee had lively, informative and constructive dialogue/discussion after the presentations, which segued into the meeting with the Village Council Members, Village Development Boards including women members, the Civil Society groups, NGOs and activists working on gender issues. Members of the VDB, tribal women organizations, Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and Nagaland University shared their concerns and challenges.
The chairperson inquired into the various forms of gender discrimination especially in the rural areas and women’s level of participation in the decision making bodies, various forms of violence and mechanisms in place to address them. She requested all the departments and civil societies to write to the Committee and share any research studies related to women, concerning their challenges and recommendations which can contribute towards evolving appropriate policy interventions. The Meeting was chaired by Mrs. Dellirose M. Sakhrie, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Department of Social Welfare
National committee on women meets state government officials
The High Level Committee on Status of Women from Central Ministry headed by Chairperson Dr. Pam Rajput held a meeting with the State government officials at the Chief Secretary conference hall today.
Nagaland Chief Secretary C.J Ponraj who chaired the meeting welcomed the State guests comprising of seven members who were on tour to Nagaland to get a comprehensive Status of Women and analyzing what women are being through in the State.
The Chief Secretary in his introductory speech said that the committee has rightly chosen to visit Nagaland for their study on analyzing the status of women. He said that Nagaland is comparatively ahead of many others about their women’s status in terms of education where there is no discrimination on gender basis and therefore women also enjoy equal opportunity of employment in the State. The Chief Secretary also said that the State has a high rate of literacy percentage where women are found to be better in their studies and the State has produced highly qualified persons in various fields where women have equal share, which speaks volumes for their status he added. He also said that women in Nagaland are quite communicative and expressive and with their educational qualities they have acquired they are coming to a stage even at the national level. However, the Chief Secretary said that besides the good educational background and economic status, the absence of women in the political arena needs to be addressed.
In regard to this phenomenon, Ponraj said that it speaks about mindset and further said that change in the area needs to take place.
Dr. Ram Rajput in her address said that gender component is there everywhere. Speaking about her meeting with the State Women Commission and State Social Welfare Board the previous day she recalled her interaction with small children where a young girl replied her on being questioned that she wanted to become a successful woman.
Dr. Pam Rajput stressed on skill development for women and also said that the State Labour Department could take up skill welfare scheme. She encouraged the officers of the related departments to converge for some visually specific capacity building and placement for women also said that government could have state policy on women as women have specific role she added.
After hearing from the officers of various departments the members of the commission expressed their views and suggested that the state women core group should have innovative document and replicate. The state could have more skill development programme through NEC, DONER; increase of women employment etc. the members also have expressed opinions that in a patriarchal society like the Nagas changes of women and girls should be recognized and that analysis should be made if there could be denial also as in a traditional society like them women could be suffering silently. Therefore, situational analysis could be exercised and evaluate by setting a trend.
The Chief Secretary in his closing remarks expressed the need for Gender Equality Budgeting in the Planning Process keeping in mind the age old traditional role and status of women in the Naga society. Such Planning and Budgeting will capacitate the women in transition and prevent denial to women for perpetuity.
The meeting was attended by departments with potentials for appropriate plans and schemes such as Planning & Coordination, APC, Labour & Employment, Social Welfare, Rural Development, Industries, Economics & Statics, Medical, Special Secretary Home (Police) and Urban Development.
