The Tuensang Department of Land Resources organised IWD programme for the womenfolk of Chendang village on March 8. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Tuensang | March 9
The role of women in uplifting rural economy was underscored during the International Women's Day celebration at Chendang village in Tuensang district.
During the programme which was organised by the Tuensang Department of Land Resources, guest speaker Kiphire District Cultural Officer P Yongwe Wumnok acknowledged the womenfolk for their contributions towards progress in the society. While these contributions mostly go unnoticed, Wumnok called on the gathering to use the day to thank women for their roles in shaping the society.
The guest speaker also laid emphasis on culture and its preservation and lamented that youngsters today have forgotten to learn the art of weaving, knitting, etc. As such, he encouraged the women to pass down the art to youngsters so that culture is preserved.
Wumnok further congratulated Chendang village for letting women take active part in the village council which is the highest decision making body in the village. Women should not shy away when there is space provided, he said while encouraging them to amplify their voices so that balanced growth and development can happen in the society.
The guest speaker also spoke on the issues related to street vendors’ policy and its benefits.
Meanwhile, Assistant Program Manager Khumpili led a technical session on the ‘Role of women in uplifting rural economy’ and cited instances where women took up roadside vending to support their families and help their children receive an education. Terming it as a huge contribution to the society, he added that women vendors should be appreciated for it.
He also stressed on the importance of communication skills in business and encouraged the vendors to treat their customers as business partners in order to sustain their enterprises.
Land resources official Lipichem who also spoke on the occasion, touched on the importance of food for sustainable future. He said that with increase population and settlement, there is huge pressure on natural resources and most of the uncultivated foods that are foraged from the wild are also shrinking, causing imbalance in the ecology. As such, he encouraged the women to be practice sustainable foraging and protect the ecology.
Lipichem further stated that throughout the COVID pandemic, villages like Chendang did not go through food shortages. Instead, the villages helped those living in towns and neighbouring villages by sharing vegetables and other food, which was a sign of hard work and generosity of womenfolk.
Similarly, women pastor of the village Naong shared on the significance of food and the role of women in preserving seeds and identifying of wild uncultivated food. She also acknowledged the menfolk of the village for giving space for women to be heard in all development activities.
On the occasion, a woman roadside vendor Kandang shared her experiences as a vendor and said that her small enterprise of selling vegetables has helped sustain her family’s daily household needs and provide for children’s schooling. She also said that since the village produces only organic vegetables, there is not much difficulty in selling the products.
