International Women’s Day observed throughout state

SEPPA, Mar 08: With an objective to recognize the contribution of women folk in shaping the society and simultaneously, to stress their role in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a week-long programme “Swachh Shakti Saptah” culminating into International Women’s Day was observed and celebrated in East Kameng by the PHE and WS department in collaboration with Mothers’ Group here from March 01 to 08 last.

Celebrating International Women’s Day on Wednesday last with the theme ‘Be Bold for Change,’ a mass rally cum awareness programme was organized in a befitting manner with the participation of large number of men, women and children from different walks of life. 

Extending warm greetings to the womenfolk on the occasion, EAC Dr Olik Taring briefed the gathering about the genesis and events led to the evolution of concept of International Women’s Day. Elaborating about the pro-active roles of a woman, he exhorted the womenfolk to empower themselves with education to become active partners in the developmental process of the society.

Speaking on gender parity, Dr Taring suggested the womenfolk to teach and induce their sons to learn and instill a moral habit of respecting a woman.

He further requested their support for making and keeping the district clean and hygiene.      

Elaborating about the aims and objectives of DVA and provisions available under various other schemes meant for welfare, development and right of justice to women, CDPO D K Thungon exhorted the womenfolk to understand their rights and responsibilities and raise voice against any means of domestic violence and atrocities.

Informing about achievements made by the department in past years, particularly in issues related to child marriage, he appreciated the support and cooperation of various NGOs and further assured to extend all possible assistance to help women in need.

Highlighting about the objectives and importance of Swachh Bharat Mission and role of women thereof in making the mission successful, PHE and WS Tung Sono appealed everyone, especially the women to come forward to promote Swachh Bharat activities in their respective households and locality to achieve the Open Defecation Free (ODF) target within 2019 and for a clean Arunachal.

Recalling the achievements made by women in various socio-economic, cultural and political fields, she appreciated and dwelt at length upon the extraordinary works done by Late Nyari Welly in leading the women of district in particular and State in general towards the path of women empowerment.

Citing the thought and philosophy of Vivekananda pertaining to uplift the condition of womenfolk, WWO president Veena Waii Sonam spoke about gender equality, disadvantages of polygamy, child marriages and dowry, domestic violence, reservation, rules and rights of women available under various Acts and Regulations, and women’s roles and contributions in the society and towards hygiene and sanitation.

She further made an appeal to all to unite and voice against anti-social and anti-women activities and urged everyone to fight till the end to eradicate all social evils.

Representatives of Mothers’ Group Ebi Lollen Pizi, Longmuk Dada etc collectively called upon all womenfolk to champion the cause for women empowerment and fight against all biases and inequality, and work together in abolishing some faulty customary practices, like polygamy and child marriage to take the society forward.

Explaining about the Swachh Shakti Saptah, they also exhorted the womenfolk to make cleanliness a part of daily life.

Pledge on women empowerment was also taken during the day.

CO Laxmi Dodum, HoDs and other govt. officials, NGOs, public and students took active participation in the week-long programme.

As part of the Swachh Shakti Saptah, an awareness programme was conducted earlier on Monday at Veo village by the department in association with Mothers’ Group. Various ways and means of living healthy and hygienic life were demonstrated in the programme. IHHL and cleanliness status of the village was also assessed by the visiting team to declare it an ODF village.

Sanitary kits were also distributed to the villagers in the programme.

Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) celebrated International Women’s Day with various programmes across the state.

Apart from Itanagar, various events were organized in Aalo, Dumporijo, Koloriang, Ziro, Miao, Changlang, Yingkong, Mechuka, Kaying, Seijosa and Anini by APWWS branches and while its affiliated bodies Women Welfare Society - Namsai, Enjalomenda Women Empowerment-Roing, Chandan Women Welfare Society-Longding districts also joined in the celebration.

In Itanagar, women rights activists Jarjum Ete, Tadar Yadir and Lomte Ete Riba were honored by APWWS in recognition of their selfless service for gender equality in the state.

At Aalo:

The West Siang unit of Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society in collaboration with the PHE also on Wednesday celebrated International Women’s Day and Swachh Shakti Saptah in a befitting manner at Gumin Kiin here.

Giving her goodwill message, Kamba ADC Swetika Sachan in her speech as chief guest said that mothers should give proper guidance and direction  to girl child  to curve a niche for themselves in different in professions so that they too stand on their own feet in their married life.

Insisting on maximum participation of girls on such occasion so that awareness can be given to them on many issues, Sachan also expressed her willingness to give counselling to few selected girls for preparation of UPSC and State Public Commission Exam on holidays.

DVO Dr Pagi Kamki Basar and social activist Horsen Ete who graced the occasion as guest of honour and special guests respectively said that women need to keep intact their age old idealism and have crucial role to play in moulding the destinies of girls.

APWWS president Marbom Riba Bagra, general secretary Hoksum Ori, former ZPC Gumli Lollen and APWWS vice president Roge Ado Ete also spoke on the occasion.

The day also saw one Lomte Ete Riba being awarded the prestigious Donyi Mumi Award 2017 as a pioneer of Arunachal Women’s Welfare Society in the state and recognising her long years of dedicated services for women and social causes right from 1976.  Dongam Ado Bagra, one of the most dedicated women workers in West Siang was also felicitated.   

At Khonsa:

Under the aegis of Women Welfare Association (WWA) the women of Khonsa, too on Wednesday celebrated International Women’s Day with various programmes at the Nehru Stadium here.

While greetings the huge gathering of women from various places Tirap ZPC Sontung Bangsia highlighted in length about how IWD celebration started in the year 1900 and added that even after centuries of struggle for rights of women, women’s discrimination still prevails in some places of India.

The ZPC urged the womenfolk of Tirap to join hands with the district administration and government to eradicate the antisocial activities like drugs and opium poppy cultivation from the district.

Speaking on the occasion ICDS deputy director Aryoma Lowangchha threw light on women empowerment and equal rights pertaining to various issues like voting, education and political rights etc.

Early in the morning members of WWA, Khonsa” headed by ZPC Sontung Lowang, Chakat Aboh, Nyason Sawin, Dipali Bhuyan and Monika Lowang Medam distributed fruits and snacks to orphans at Seva Kendra Mother Teresa Home to mark the day.

At Itanagar:

To mark the occasion of International Women’s Day, the students of Himalayan University attended a seminar organised by the Arunachal Vivekananda Yuva Shakti at Vivekananda Hall, Rama Krishna Hospital here.

Issues relating to the rights, status and dignity of women in Arunachal were discussed at length during the said programme by resource persons.

At Pasighat:

While celebrating International Women's Day at Pasighat, the Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) launched its Maa Tujhe Salaam programme on the theme ‘Young Women Convention’ to commemorate the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Hundreds of women from all walks of life participated in the programme in which Lok Sabha MP Ninong Ering highlighted while highlighting the contributions of Indira Gandhi progressing appealed all the womenfolk to follow the same.

APYC president Jikke Tako, vice president Zirgi Kadu and East Siang DYC president Tonong also spoke on the occasion.