Emphasizing on the present context of gender equality, SDO of Imphal East Pooja Elangbam on Saturday said that gender equality should be discussed though it does not mean that revolution will happen soon after the discussion. It will take time but one should not stop discussing it, she added.
She was speaking as a chief guest of a sensitisation on crime against women through social media on Saturday at TS Paul Manipur Women's College, Mongshangei of Imphal West district. It was organised by NSS Unit I, Women's Cell, Grievance Cell under the aegis of IQAC.
Pooja said that talking about Manipur’s gender equality, everyone knows that girls have certain limitations and responsibility from childhood. While treating or raising a boy and girl in a home, girls are preferred more for household engagements even if she’s started going to school. From there, boys and girls start to learn that they have different responsibilities, she added.
Equality should start from home, from parents and from school or college, she stated, adding that without making changes, the voice or awareness of gender equality will not come.
According to a report of labour participation of women in India, labour force participation of women is very less, 27 per cent only. But in reality, women are working and the percentage is less because women are working unpaid labour, said Pooja.
“It says that if all women in the world stop working for only one day, the whole world system will collapse”, said Pooja, adding that it is true. The IE SDO said that changes have been made when education for girls is compulsory and that there has been progress in the education sector with many girls and women participating professionally. However, it cannot be said that gender inequality has been solved, she lamented.
Pooja also said people wonder as to why job opportunities for girls are less when there is an equal level of education between boys and girls. That is because of the way they have been brought up, will less confidence, she added.
“Go, get the attitude required to overcome doubt. Don’t underestimate your voice or your confidence”, said Pooja.
Additional SP (Investigative Unit for Crime Against Women), Imphal West spoke on crime against women through social media.
The sensitisation programme was attended by Teacher Association of TS Paul Manipur Women College president, O Swarnalata Devi; Teacher Representative (governing body) of the college, Ksh Devendra and TS Paul principal Thiam Nandita Devi.
