As many as 21 women achievers in Manipur were awarded the Women of Substance Awards, 2023 at an event held in celebration of International Women's Day 2023 in Imphal on Sunday.
Adhikarimayum Sarda Devi, Irom Thoibi Devi, Huidrom Achoubi Devi, Valleyrose Hungyo, Wahengbam Purnima, Jojo Rajkumari, Moirangthem Muktamani, Sujata Wangkheirakpham, Nganbi Chanu leima and Rajkumari Rosy were among the 21 awardees.
Speaking at the Annual Eta Manipur Women of Substance Awards 2023, Wangkhei AC MLA Thangjam Arunkumar said, "Women need not beg for their rights; they should claim it by asserting themselves intellectually and physically on par with the rest of their competitors in every field".
The third edition of the event was organised by ETA Northeast Women's Network in Imphal, at Hotel Imphal.
On the occasion, Arunkumar also said men should strive collectively with women in the quest for gender equality.
“Men should strive collectively with women in the quest for gender equality, joining hands will further ingrain the mutual respect between the two genders,” he said.
Calling upon academicians and experts in the state to hold discourses on the complexities of gender amid the ever evolving concept of gender, he said people should be educated about it.
Emphasising the role of parents in creating a gender equal , he said parents should groom their children to respect every gender.
Sophia Rajkumari, chairperson of Eta Northeast Women’s Network, said Eta was started in 2009 with the objective to provide a healthy platform for all genders to air thier grievances and thoughts on gender equality.
She stated that gender empowerment is a long process which requires time and patience on the part of all stakeholders. Empowerment is a social movement which requires dedication and sacrifice, she added.
“Every contribution to the quest inches the whole movement towards a more gender respectful society,” Sophia said.
She further highlighted the various online initiatives undertaken by Eta to create awareness in various fields which includes understanding entrepreneurship programmes, mental health, legal awareness, zero interest microfinance programmes among others.
All Manipur Kanba Ema Lup general secretary Wahengbam Luwangleima Chanu and former minister Akoijam Mira Bai among others were present at the event.
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