KOHIMA, MARCH 8 (DIPR): Student Mobilization for Initiative and Learning through Exposure (SMILE), Kohima, under the aegis of the Indo Global Service Society, organized a workshop on women commemorating the International Women’s Day on March 8 at Red Cross Conference Hall, Kohima.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, Nagaland, Limawati who spoke on the topic ‘HIV/AIDS & Women’ said that women, specially in rural areas, are disadvantaged on many fronts. He said that it is the women who keep the family and the society together and they are the force that makes the world a better place. But on the other hand, they are the most vulnerable when it comes to diseases like HIV and AIDS. Limawati said that globally 60% of people living with HIV/AIDS are women in the age group of 15-24 years and in the sub-Saharan Africa and the South East, the figure rises even beyond 70%.
He said that unfortunately, Nagaland is one of the six states in India with high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS and elaborated on some of the statistics prevailing in the state. Stating that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS and that it can only be prevented, Limawati stressed on the need to create awareness among the people, especially among the women. He said that there is need to wake up to the situation and start to make a beginning by doing away with our hypocritical attitudes.
Women’s day is observed to celebrate the strength of womanhood, he said, further stating that on occasions we should also find out our shortcoming and bring out solutions to deal with them. We should start at the grassroots level to be liberated from the shackles that society has put on women, he added.
Regional Director, IGSSS, Paul Lokho spoke on the topic ‘Walking up the Sleeping Giant’ where the talked on the tremendous strength and courage of women. He also stressed on the need of women to become a collective force in the society and begin in a small way to deal with various issues in the state. He said that women harbour a quiet strength which is persistence, perseverance and prudence. Lokho said that a lot can be done if the strength of a women is unleashed and utilized for the good of the society.
