MOKOKCHUNG — A one-day seminar organised by the Langpangkongtsür Telongjem Mokokchung Town (LTMT) on the themes “The responsibility of women in social development” and “Women’s role in preserving the environment” was held in Mokokchung on October 11.
The seminar featured as resource persons I Tangitla Pongen, technical officer at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Mokokchung, and Sashikokla Jamir, assistant professor, Agriculture, Fazl Ali College.
In her address, Pongen emphasised the need for women to be self-reliant, honest, dedicated, and hard-working to transform society. She urged women to be wise and poised, underscoring the importance of understanding their role in preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Ao tribe.
According to Pongen, women play a key role in preserving tribal culture and traditions for future generations.
Pongen called on women to work towards preserving their mother tongue and to teach the younger generation the significance of the exogamous marriage system, clan systems, and traditional attire.
"Every woman must serve as a role model and a resourceful individual, capable of leading society towards new heights of prosperity and development," she stated.
The second resource person, Sashikokla Jamir, spoke on the theme “Women’s Role in Preserving the Environment.”
She highlighted the critical role that women play in protecting and managing natural resources, stating, “Women view the environment as the life support system of humanity.”
According to Jamir, women are deeply affected by the state of the environment due to their reliance on resources like water, forest products, and land, and often have a better understanding than men of the need to safeguard these resources.
Jamir stressed that, as Christians, it is essential to protect the environment for both present and future generations, drawing on biblical teachings.
She shared examples of women who have made significant contributions to environmental protection on both national and international levels.
Additionally, Jamir covered topics such as waste management, rainwater harvesting, reducing waste, recycling, and the importance of saying no to plastic. She also emphasised the need to educate girls and empower women to become active participants in environmental conservation.