Imphal: Social Welfare Minister Henry Okram said under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the government is tirelessly working for women empowerment and to improve the lives of women. The Minister stated this while participating in the celebration of International Women’s Day held at City Convention Center here Wednesday.
Speaking as Chief Guest, Henry Okram said the government has implemented various welfare schemes especially for women in the State, and added that for the first time in Manipur history, the present government tabled Gender Budget statement in the Assembly recently.
The Minister stressed that with the blessings of the Chief Minister, the annual Budget of the Manipur State Commission for Women has been increased from Rs. 40 lakhs to Rs. 1 crore. He urged the people of the State to collectively fight for elimination of all forms of discrimination against women in the State. We should abide the principle of gender equality as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, he added.
With such celebration, the Minister emphasized that there is a need for mass awareness on women rights and gender equality in the State.
During the function, Minister for Social Welfare Henry Okram was honoured and felicitated with the “Men for Women” Award. Different eminent personalities were felicitated under different categories for their extraordinary service for women’s rights.
Minister for Transport Vungzagin Valte, Chairperson Manipur State Commission for Women Dr. Binota Meinam, DCs, SPs and Head of various Departments and others attended the function.
The celebration was organised by Manipur State Commission for Women in collaboration with Nation Women Commission for Women and Dhanamajuri College of Arts, DMU under the theme “Men for Women”.
