Role of women in impacting sanitation mission finds a highlight at seminar

Kohima, June 9 (EMN): To sensitise womenfolk on sanitation and its impact on the health and environment, the Angamimiapfii Mechii Krotho (AMK) has organised a sanitation workshop for its women leaders this morning at AMK building, Kohima. Gracing the programme as the chief guest, Minister PHED, Chotisiih Sazo said this campaign should not be left to the government alone but NGOs and civil societies should also gear up to achieve the target as it is the collective effort of each individual. While pointing out the government is India is aiming to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2, 2019 at the project cost of Rs 1.96 crore, Sazo said 80.52% has been achieved in Nagaland wherein 2,11,723 (two lakh eleven thousand seven hundred and twenty three) sanitary toilets have been successfully constructed against the target of 2,62,929 (two lakh sixty two thousand nine hundred and twenty nine). Quoting an adage ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness,’ Sazo maintained that being clean was a sign of spiritual purity and goodness. ‘Cleanliness is health and health is wealth,’ he said. Also addressing the womenfolk, the PHED’s Chief Engineer Kevisekho Kruse said the participation of women in the campaign will have far-reaching impact in the state in terms of spreading awareness and by their physical involvement in the programme. Terming India’s envisioning of a clean India as a ‘lofty goal and challenging’ Kruse said it is easier said than done, which he said requires behavioural and mindset change of each and every individual. Sanitation, he said, was the indicator of ‘our level of civilisation.’ He lamented that the Naga people were still lagging in this aspect. He observed that although north eastern states were comparatively much cleaner than ‘mainland India,’ Kruse said that the challenge remains the use of toilets and the idea of waste management. He lamented that there was not much support and interest from the government and the political leaders to the campaign ‘with little or no funds for this mission.’ The director of the PHED’s WSSO, KG Sumi has asked the women leaders to be the ambassadors of the mission and requested them to keep their surroundings clean as much they clean their home. AMK’s Advisor Salhoutuonuo Kruse and the vice principal of Kohima College, Thinuokhrieuu Tseikha, as resource persons spoke on the topics of good sanitary practices and waste management. The workshop saw the attendance of women leaders and representatives from all the Angami villages and areas. The programme was sponsored by the WSSO, PHED.