Participants and organisers of the women mock parliament debate under SVEEP Campaign held at Wokha on February 22. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Wokha | February 22
Systematic Voter’s Education and Electoral Participation, Women Mock Parliament debate on “Men dictate the vote and voice of Naga women” was held at DC conference hall, Wokha on February 22. The programme was organised by DC & DEO, Wokha in collaboration with the Lotha Eloe Hoho and the District Hub for Empowerment of Women.
During the programme, K Furhesie, NCS ADC, Wokha, emphasised that SVEEP is the flagship programme of the Election Commission of India aimed at educating voters by spreading awareness and promoting literacy. He highlighted SVEEP's multi-intervention approach, reaching citizens through various platforms to educate them effectively. Furhesie stressed that the vision of SVEEP is to enlighten, enable, and empower every citizen, with activities like this serving as a means to educate citizens with special focus.
He also informed that the first stage of SVEEP, known as SVEEP 1, commenced in 2009, and currently, the program is in its fourth stage, SVEEP 4, which began in 2022 and will continue until 2025. Furhesie highlighted that each stage has specific objectives. For SVEEP 4, he emphasized two main objectives: increasing voter turnout to 75% in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024 and ensuring the purification of electoral rolls at every polling station. Additionally, the second objective aims to encourage young voters to participate in the electoral process. Furhesie urged all young students to prepare actively and enroll themselves as voters.
Later, a debate competition on ‘Men dictating the vote and voice of Naga Women’ was conducted, with two teams consisting of five members each participating.
The debate centered on gender equality. The competition was judged based on criteria such as the presentation of theory and information, use of language, discipline, and clarity of speech. The team against the motion was declared the winner of the debate competition and received a cash prize, gifts, and certificates. Other participants were also presented with gifts and certificates.
Thungbeni Kikon, a Case Worker at OSC, moderated the debate, while the panel of judges comprised Julia Achumi, Principal of Doyang Polytechnic, Mhonbeni Ezong, a PGT at GHSS, and Khyopenthung Tsopoe, an Associate Professor at MTC.
Mount Tiyi College students also attended the programme which was chaired by Merithung Lotha (Gender Specialist, DHEW)
