Dimapur, March 8 (MExN): Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA) organised a legal awareness programme at Sumi Baptist Church, Niuland Town, in collaboration with Criminal Justice Program, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.
The day coinciding with Women's Day, brought about the Sumi women of the town in their traditional attires. Keynote address was given by Ajongba Imchen, Secretary DDLSA, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Dimapur, where he said that Sumi women are fearless and hence they should realise their rights and come together to claim them.
Nikita Engheepi, Program Officer of Criminal Justice Program then spoke about the need to discuss child sexual abuse. She encouraged the women to teach their children about “Good Touch, Bad Touch.” Panel Lawyer, Kumchuba explained about the functions of the DDLSA and the process to avail those. The women were further explained about the rights to them by Panel Lawyer Ale. They were also informed about the Domestic Violence Act and the legal provisions that can be claimed by Panel Lawyer Moatila.
This was then followed by interaction where Sumi Totimi Hoho President (Nuiland), Vihuli raised relevant questions about how it was difficult to approach the courts because of the process created by the customary courts.
A press release mentioned that the DDLSA has off late been collaborating with the Criminal Justice Fellowship Program, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai for raising awareness among the masses. The programme is headed by Nikita Engheepi and besides the awareness camps it is also working for the ‘Marginalized under trial prisoners of Dimapur Jails.’
