A few women who were honoured for their exemplary lives at the Celebration of International Women’s Day in Kohima on March 8. (Morung Photo)
Kohima March 8 (MExN): Joining the rest of the country, International Women’s Day was celebrated here in the capital at the Capital Convention Centre under the theme ‘Celebrating the women behind me’. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest Pukhayi, Parliamentary Secretary Cooperation, Women Development & Sericulture, stated that the UN had declared Women’s Day theme for 2013 as ‘A promise is a promise: time for action to end violence against women’. He said that women are a symbol of modesty and mercy and Women’s day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in history.
In his keynote address Kiheto T. Sema, Secretary, Social Welfare, said that the government is now giving much importance to women for both Development and Welfare. Informing that there is a separate ministry for Women and Child Development, he said that under this ministry the government has formulated and introduced many schemes for the benefit of women. He stated that in Nagaland schemes like Indira Gandhi Matritya SahyogYojana (IGMSY), Support Training and Employment Programme for women (STEP), Swadhar, Ujjwalaetchave have been implemented.
Talking on the welfare front, Kiheto stated that the Women Commission was set up to protect the welfare of women and also informed that a Resource Centre for women will be launched soon. Further he stated that the Finance Minister has introduced women bank which will start functioning in November this year. Touching on the sensitive 33% reservation issue, Kiheto said that we should take an example from the polls in Meghalaya where four women candidates have been elected. He further challenged the Naga women to think and work seriously to bring changes in the society.
T.S. Angami, Director NRE; T. Renben Lotha, Joint Director, Land Resources and Motsuthung Lotha, Mission Director, State Rural Livelihood Mission also addressed the gathering. The celebration highlights included a play by Dreamz Unlimited, screening of documentary on progressive SHGs and a special number by Adolescent Girls Club Music teachers. The best SHG awards went to Leirau ma, Peren district and second to Vikehie, Gariphema.
Avinuo Kire, Asst. State Coordinator, SRCW gave the vote of thanks while Daisy Mezhur, Secretary, NSSWB chaired the programme. The celebration was jointly organised by Department of New & Renewable Energy, Land Resource Development, Social Welfare, State Rural Livelihood Mission, Nagaland Sate Social Welfare Board and State Resource Centre for Women.
