Wokha, July 28 (MExN): Two-day intensive workshop on ‘Violence against Women & Children’ was organized by the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Wokha in collaboration with State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) and Nagaland State Social Welfare Board (NSSWB) on July 26 and 27 at the District Planning conference hall on day one and at the DC’s office on day two here.
On July 26, the programme was attended by various civil bodies like the Lotha Eloe Hoho, Lotha Students’ Union, GBs and Dobashis, Colony chairmen and pastors from different churches in Wokha Town and police personnel.
The Chairperson of NSSWB, Bano Vinito exhorted the stakeholders on the need to come together and stand against violence against women. She encouraged each organization and individual to step forward and fight the social problem.
Deliberating on way forward, the participants shared that they would put effort to conduct more awareness at the grassroots and spread the message through church and community institutions, informed a press release.
The resource persons for the workshops were Gracy Ayee, State Coordinator, SRCW, Ajabu Tungoe, District Coordinator, SRCW, Lanuienla Imchen, Women Helpline Manager, Jitsiasa Nyusou, Call Responder, 181. The topics covered in the workshop were types of violence against women and children, Awareness on various schemes and programme with special emphasis on 181-Women Helpline and Sakhi-One Stop Centre, Legal entitlements and psycho social support for victims of gender based violence.
Meanwhile, a consultative cum sensitization programme for the Police Department was convened on July 27, which was also attended by the GBs and Dobashis who could not come on day one. Bano Vinito opened the programme with keynote address emphasizing the need to strengthen convergence effort particularly stressing on police, legal cells, medical personnel and civil societies to come together and work to end violence against women.
Officer In-Charge, Benrio Shitio and Phillip Yanthan, SDPO Wokha gave statistical report of the crime rates against women in the district. They shared that in the past ten years, 65 cases have been registered at Wokha Police Station so far. The police officials stressed that a separate lock up is a dire need as there is no place to keep accused women. With the increase in the rate of violence, the police further shared the need to have a full fledged Women Police Station.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, Thavaseelan, IAS, addressed the participants on both the days. Stressing on the significance of such workshop, he thanked the participants for cooperating stating “we can collectively prevent and curb the situation to make Wokha a safer district.” He added that the District administration is committed to the cause and that efforts are being made to ensure that the grassroots are aware of the specific schemes & programmes for different target groups. Similar workshops will be conducted in the months ahead, he assured.
