NSCW team visits 5 districts, discusses women’s issues with stakeholders

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW), headed by its chairperson, W Nginyeih Konyak, along with members Kekhrienuo Meyase and Akokla Longchar, conducted the second phase of its district tour from February 19 to 24 and visited Noklak, Shamator, Tuensang, Mokokchung, and Zunheboto districts.

During the tour, the NSCW held meetings with district apex tribal women organisations to discuss various issues related to women. During these discussions, the chairperson emphasised the importance of creating more awareness on topics such as cybercrime, domestic violence, and providing a safe environment for affected women.

They also encouraged apex women organisations from the districts to continue playing an active role in collaboration with the district administration, police, and other relevant departments to promote and protect women’s welfare and empowerment.

On their visits to district hospitals and district jails, the team interacted with medical officers, nurses and toured hospital wards. They also engaged with jail officials and female inmates. Additionally, they visited women police stations and sakhi-one stop centres in Tuensang, Mokokchung, and Zunheboto.

During the visit, discussions were held about the various challenges that the institutions face in terms of women’s welfare and the protection of their rights. There was an emphasis on the necessity of implementing various mechanisms to address issues faced by women affected by violence and substance abuse.

The team also interacted with district welfare officers, who serve as the designated district protection officers for domestic violence. They examined the socio-economic conditions and welfare programmes available to women through various government schemes and discussed the importance of their proper and judicious implementation.

The commission also paid courtesy visits to the district administrations and superintendents of police. During these interactions, the chairperson emphasised the importance of setting up internal complaint committees under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (PoSH) Act, 2013 to address issues of sexual harassment in the workplace.

During the tour, the chairperson reiterated the need to strengthen rehabilitation services and stressed the importance of the role of district administration and police, along with their collective efforts, to tackle the menace of substance abuse and ensure the safety and security of women in the district.