Dimapur, March 9 (EMN): International Women’s Day (IWD) was celebrated across Nagaland by various educational institutions and organisations on the theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” on March 8.
Observance of the day is aimed to spread the message of gender equality and promote a society with no gender bias.
TaFMA: Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA) celebrated International Women’s Day at RCEMPA, Jotsoma. Dr. Lily Sema, principal of Kohima Science College, speaking on the occasion highlighted that Naga society is witnessing the emergence of brilliant women in various fields by overcoming struggles of gender inequalities, undergoing a lot of hardships to be where they are.
“These women are resilient, meticulous and multi-taskers with excellent managerial skills and make great leaders both at grassroots levels and in power,” she added.
On the occasion, Mercy Tetseo of the Tetseo Sisters shared her desire to work for justice, gender equality. Stating that her contribution to society has just begun, she expressed hope to inspire the youth to follow dreams and take up challenges.
Meanwhile, the celebration was attended by students. During the ceremony, Dr. Theyiesinuo Keditsu, assistant professor at Kohima College recited a poem.
Female artists — Imnainla (guitarist) and Akhrole Keyho (singer) — performed for the gathering.
NABARD: NABARD Nagaland Regional Office organised and celebrated International Women’s Day, facilitated by NSRLM Changtongya Block at Changtongya Town Longma Watsu Sungki.
R Anungla Aier, president of Watsu Telen Changtongya town spoke on the theme and said that, “Ao women are much privileged than others as we enjoy a lot of privileges in our society’’.
She added that women must strive to be brave and look forward to venture out to new heights.
KVK Wokha: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Wokha celebrated International Women’s Day on the theme “Empowering women farmers with skill and knowledge” under “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” at Morashen Hall, Old Riphyim Village.
Theme speaker, Bendangla Imsong, SMS (plant breeding) emphasised that women are central to agriculture and make a strong contribution to food security and nutrition at both the household and community level.
Megokhono Meyase, SMS (horticulture) trained the farmers on cultivation of summer vegetables and Dr. BL Mhalo Tungoe, SMS (Agril. Extension) demonstrated on aloe vera soap making.
HCCCWA: Holy Cross Church Catholic Women Association (HCCCWA), Dimapur celebrated International Women’s Day at its parish auditorium.
Sister Mary Dukru, coordinator, Nagaland Catholic Women Association (NCWA) said that International Women’s Day is celebrated to honour women and their accomplishments in various fields.
She stressed the need to create awareness on women’s fundamental rights and gender equality. Caroline Leisan, president HCCCWA, called for strong women leadership to reach out for peace, love and unity at all levels of the society.
DWO Kohima: District Welfare Office (DWO), Kohima observed International Women’s Day at the DWO office in Kohima.
Sentinaro Longchar, advocate at Gauhati High Court Bench Kohima, said that the day is meant to celebrate the progress made towards achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment.
She also stressed on the role of legal services, equal pay for equal work, domestic violence, Zero FIR and services provided by legal aid authorities to women.
District social welfare officer, Akali Sema highlighted elder helpline 14567 (toll free) that provides information, guidance, emotional support, counselling and field intervention of abuse and rescue.
ICAR-NRCM , KVK Phek: ICAR- National Research Centre on Mithun, Medziphema and KVK Phek jointly celebrated International Women’s Day at KVK Phek premises, Porba.
Branch manager, State Bank of India, Pfutsero, Vizoto Angami spoke on the importance of gender equality. Mhathung Khuvung, branch manager, NStCB, Pfutsero urged the womenfolk to be economically stable by linking with banks and taking advantage of bank products and services for uplifting the social and economic status of women.
Kuhukrulu Khamo, a woman entrepreneur from Phusachadu village spoke on her experience in pig breeding and the utilisation of pig manure as compost for floriculture and vegetable cultivation.
A farmer-scientist interaction programme was also conducted, while an exhibition on farmer friendly technologies was also displayed during the event. Pig feeds and seeds were also distributed to the participants.
KVK Peren: ICAR-KVK Peren, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Jalukie celebrated International Women’s Day at Training Hall, KVK Peren, Jalukie.
Dr. KL Meena, principal scientist and head, KVK Peren spoke on the role of women in agriculture along with a PowerPoint presentation on Integrated Farming System (IFS) and its significance.
On the same day, a training programme on the topics — Nutrition garden: healthy diet at doorstep and Income generation through Kitchen gardening — was also taken up by Dr. Patu K Zeliang, KVK Peren and Isapeule Hegui, agri. inspector.
After the programme, participants were distributed garden tools, seeds and shade nets. Altogether, 45 farmers and farm women participated in the programme.
NEN: North East Network (NEN) Nagaland, together with communities of Phek district celebrated International Women’s Day at NEN Resource Centre, Chizami and Women Resource Centre, Runguzu Nasa.
Co-organised with SEWA Nagaland, the event at Runguzu Nasawas was attended by Omegali, EAC Chetheba as the guest speaker. She lauded the efforts of collectives such as ‘Chizami Weaves’ working with diverse women supporting livelihood and Chetheba circle women SHGs for their community work even during the pandemic.
Zachivelu K Kire, director of Sericulture attended the event at Chizami as the guest speaker. She noted that ‘women are blessed with multiple talents and hence can do and achieve much more than men’.
She stressed that our communities need to move away from old practices of defining the work of women versus men and changing this narrative.
The events brought together 250 participants comprising women farmers, weavers, community leaders from 28 villages under Phek district and representatives from several government departments.
NStCB: Nagaland State Cooperative Bank Ltd, on the occasion of International Women’s Day organised a programme as part of the celebration and reached out to vendors, especially women vendors at Naga Shopping Arcade, Super Market and New Market area of Dimapur.
The women officials of Women Development Cell of the bank distributed food packets and water flasks among women vendors and enlightened them on financial literacy, financial inclusion and digital banking.
Accounts opening form for opening of Basic Saving Accounts were also distributed.
Later in the day, a meeting of women officials and senior executives was convened at the HO, where the senior executives of the Bank led by the managing director greeted the women officials on the occasion and encouraged them in their equivalent role in the society and community development.
Unity College: Unity College IQAC, Women Cell in collaboration with Dance Club and Music Club along with the rest of the world celebrated International Women’s Day.
The programme was hosted by Parbati Sharma of B.Com 4th semester, while Chenichan Yanthan of B.A 2nd semester delivered a speech focusing on the theme and elaborating on gender equality and sustainability.
The program concluded with a musical act presented by Dance Club portraying the subjugation of women in a patriarchal society.
District administration, Mokokchung: In commemoration of International Women’s Day, the district administration and district level centre for Women, in collaboration with the department of Sociology, Jubilee Memorial College (JMC) held an inter-college prepared speech competition at JMC premises.
Fazl Ali College (FAC), People’s College along with JMC participated in the programme. All competitors gave special focus on gender equality in their speeches.
Kushe Shiu from FAC was declared the winner, while Imolemla from FAC and Sashimenla Imchen from JMC won the second and third positions respectively.
Guest speaker at the event, Toshi Sanglir, ABAM youth secretary highlighted the importance of a woman, while taking the example of his mother. “She taught me to respect everyone”, he added.
Women are seen as cultural refugees taking the identity of fathers and husbands, I will unchain myself and interrupt the chain of cultural bias, he added.
SMC: Led by Women Development Cell (WDC) Sakus Mission College celebrated women, saluting their emotional and mental strength as they continue to strive for gender equalityon the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Special guest, Bambi Kevichusa, a renowned fashion designer said that men and women should not compare with one another as both complement each other.
The celebration was led by Marlin of 4th semester, while WDC girl members sang the inspiring Walking by Faith.
NSRLM, BMMU Kikruma: Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM), BMMU Kikruma, Phek district celebrated International Women’s Day at Badminton Stadium, Kikruma village.
Vechozulü Tunyi, retd. assistant teacher acknowledged the NSRLM team for taking initiative in uplifting the women and the needy in general.
Besungoyo Puro, VDB secy. Kikruma village addressed the gathering and spoke about “women empowerment” stating that, “most women are now engaged in the Self Help Groups and are actively participating in upliftment of the community in every sphere”.
Zutatsolü Tunyi from Bolive VLO testified her success story in which she shared about the concept of financial literacy and how to commercialise the product of the locality after the intervention of the NSRLM.
YMCA: Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), Dimapur celebrated International Women’s Day in Classic Blossom Girls hostel, Duncan Basti, Dimapur.
NK Keny, social activist was the resource person and spoke on the theme. She challenged the gathering to be strong women and to have passion, gusto, dedication and confidence in order to sustain oneself without depending on others and to go ahead in life.
Meanwhile, YWCA Dimapur members in Patkai led by Mughali celebrated the day by gathering women from the hostel.
