Shillong: A closeted conversation themed “Men for Women” was organised Wednesday by the Meghalaya State Commission for Women celebrating International Women’s Day 2021. The programme held at u Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong was supported by the National Commission for Women, New Delhi.
Speaking at the inaugural session I. Laloo, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, reiterated that the fight for women’s right spans centuries and it is due to the way paved by women in the past in their quest for basic rights, that women today can enjoy liberties like the right to vote, to education, to work etc. Thus she urged the youth to take on the mantle to address gender inequality and bring about social justice. The United Nations in recognition of the immense role played by women in combating the Covid-19 pandemic has celebrated International Women Day on the theme “Envisioning an Equal Future- the Role of Women in a Covid 19 world”, she informed.
Despite numerous advances, we are still living in a patriarchal world. Although women have shattered the glass ceiling by excelling in fields that were once considered a male domain, there is a need to encourage and empower the girl child right from the home, religious institutions, community and society at large. Drawing focus to the problems of high Maternal Mortality Rate and teenage pregnancies in the State, Kum. I. Laloo stressed on the need for women to talk about difficulties faced by them during child birth and child rearing and the participation of men in the discourse is crucial. She also stressed on the need for the youth to be aware of the different laws that exist for their protection.
During the day-long programme, different topics relating to men supporting the cause of breaking gender stereotypes; women’s participation in governance; factors leading to rising cases of crime against women were deliberated upon by the resource persons who included Toki Blah, Dr Fabian Lyngdoh, Vivek Syiem and Donboklang Majaw.
