EMN
Dimapur, March 8
[dropcap]K[/dropcap]ohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) commemorated International Women’s Day 2015 with the hostel girls at DC Conference Hall, Kohima under the theme, ‘Make it happen’.
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kohima & Secretary KDLSA, Mezivolu T Therieh, NJS, while welcoming the participants expressed that the gathering was a fulfillment of the aims and objectives of the Legal Services Authority and extended appreciation to everyone present.In her speech, she stated that society today is at its worst scenario with so much lawlessness and anarchy around.
“We cannot bring about positive change by defying the rule of law. If we want to see a prosperous and progressive society, then we all have to contribute our bit and usher in the change we want”.
She concluded the address by quoting the lines from one of the speeches of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court that ‘change will come even if we do nothing. But it will not be the change we want.’
Panel Lawyer, Ashu Theyo, spoke on the topic ‘Crime against women & its protective laws’ where he highlighted the prevailing crimes against women and tools and measures to deal with such kind of situation.
“Because of our social structure and patriarchal mindset towards women, topics of women’s rights have come about.” He cited Nirbhaya’s gang rape case and how justice was meted out to her through the proper procedure of law by awarding capital punishment to the accused persons. He stated that change will come though it may not be as fast as expected.
Sr. Director, Health Rights, Human Law Network (HRLN), Sanjai Sharma, spoke on the topic ‘Laws relation to girls’ health’. He highlighted the acts and schemes implemented by the government of India to secure the health of a girl child. He said, “It is possible to stop the elements that are making you uneasy by using the laws. All the laws are in the books but if it is not used, it is just a paper.” He encouraged the girls to read the laws and practically apply them for their benefits and safety.
Asino Visa, a student representative in her speech, ‘As a girl- child’ said that she is proud to be a woman and also said that it is very important to educate a girl child because if she is educated the whole world will be educated. She highlighted some of the prominent women around the world like Lt Mrs Indira Gandhi, Lt Kalpana Chawla, Lt Annie Besant etc their contributions towards the betterment of the society.
The guest speaker Y. Longkumer NJS, Registrar, Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, spoke on the theme: ‘Make It Happen’. She encouraged the girls to make a difference in the society with her positive attitude and being involved and aware of the things happening around. She said that being in a male dominated society, gender inequality is the main thing that is pulling down the status of a women. She challenged the girls that whatever men can do, women can also do it and even better.
She said that women are the architect of the society and challenged all that the voice of the women should come out and make a generation of women which will make things happen. She gave some tips to the girls to build a reputation right from now, focus on their strengths, find a mentor and have certain values in life which will help them to become strong citizen in the society.
In conclusion she said that instead of watching and wondering what others do, it should be them who should make things happen.
There was interactive session where the students enthusiastically participated and clarified their queries and doubts.
