Several organisations in Manipur carried out different activities, including rally and award presentation to mark the global celebration of ‘International Women’s Day on Tuesday which will continue for another five days.
As a part of the observation of IWD-2022 on Tuesday, hundreds of women took to the streets to rally for 'Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’. The rally, organised by the League of Women Manipur, started from Nupi Lal Complex and after passing through Jadonang Park, Keishampat Junction, it culminated at Khwairamband Ima Market.
League of Women Manipur secretary Tanuja Khumukcham told mediapersons the rally was organised in order to spread awareness in relation with the year’s theme ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’.
The theme will recognise the contribution of women and girl around the world, who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, migration and response, to build a more sustainable future for all, she added.
She said international women’s day still reflects its political origins, being marked by protests and calls for radicals change in other areas, particularly in the West, it is largely socioculture and centered on a celebration of womanhood.
She said the International Women’s Day will be celebrated for five days from March 8 to 12. The celebration will include a day to donate few things to physically challenged women, women rehab, women old age home, HIV affected/infected community and others.
The League of Women Manipur will also aim to analyse and capacity-building framework to Women and Youth leaders in such issues relating to unsustainable development since climate change which became more crucial, she added.
The programme was sponsored by Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS).
Joint director, MACS, Dr Hemlata Thokchom said the day is celebrated to honour the contribution of women across the globe. It is not only a celebration to honour the contribution of women but also to promote women empowerment and to spread the awareness on gender equality, he added.
She appealed to married and pregnant women to be aware of their HIV status as any person can get HIV status test at Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC).
'More women representation in decision making need of the hour'
Meanwhile, a panel discussion cum interaction session was held in Lamphelpat, Imphal on Tuesday. The programme was organised by the Manipur State Legal Services Authority in observance of the International Women’s Day under the theme “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”.
Despite the fact that Manipuri women had a significant role in socio-economy of the state, their representation in decision making is very low which is a serious concern to accelerate women’s equality, said professor Elangbam Bijoykumar Singh, department of Economics, Manipur University.
Prof Bijoykumar was speaking at a panel discussion cum interaction session held at ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex, Lamphelpat on Tuesday. Giving a presentation on the topic “Women and Economy of Manipur-Role, Status and Issues”, Bijoykumar said that Manipur women are contributing in various sectors.
Member secretary, MASLSA, Ojesh Mutum, highlighted that the main objective of the programme was to raise awareness on women’s equality and accelerate gender parity in tandem with this year’s International Women’s Day 2022 theme “Gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow”.
With the subjective of creating women’s equality, MASLSA have started multi-faceted facilities for accessing the various issues of women and continuous effort has been extending in creating awareness about women’s welfare schemes. Measure are being taken up to prevent domestic violence, female foeticide, dowry cases and so on.
Many other resource persons also gave their representation on various topics in connection with women related theme.
Female healthcare champions felicitated
Also, honouring the courage of female healthcare workers during the fights against COVID-19, various healthcare workers in Manipur were felicitated during the celebration of International Women’s Day 2022 in Imphal on Tuesday.
They were felicitated by the staff of the directorate of Family Welfare Services and State Health Society, National Health Mission (NHM), Manipur with the title “Women COVID-19 Vaccination Champions of Manipur.”
Despite facing the social stigma from all corners, the women medical staffs are risking their life to take care of the Covid patients in Covid care centres, intensify the Covid vaccination and testing drive, said additional director of Family Welfare Dr N Dihe Mao while delivering the presidential speech of the function.
The contribution of the nurses and doctors during the Covid pandemic is indeed an “angelic work,” he said, highlighting the various difficulties faced by the health care workers during the first wave.
Coming to the role of women in the society, he said both men and women have their unique role and contribution in every aspect and both have equal rights.
The function was also attended by state mission director of NHM Manipur Dr N Shyamjai as chief guest and state immunisation officer of the NHM, Manipur Dr T Manihar as guest of honour.
Prominent women of Manipur were also felicitated at a function held at Rajkumari Sanatombi Devi College of Education at North AOC, Imphal in connection with the International Women’s Day.
Book release to honour women's courage
In Thoubal district, a new book on Thoibi Devi entitled Adhikar Amasoong Khangatlaba Wari Macha Khara by Jugol Sai penned in Manipuri was released in Thoubal on Tuesday. Copies of the book were distributed free to students and women vendors of of Thoubal market as a part of the celebration of International Women's Day 2022.
Speaking at the event, which was organised by the Readers Collective in association with Waikhom Mani Girl’s College Students’ Union and Thoubal Keithel Phambi Mathak Makha Apunba, author Jugol Sai said that revolutionary minded people attempted to make a progressive and developed society without any discriminations against anyone.
In today’s capitalist society, people are suppressed politically, socially and economically, the author of the book said.
Pointing out that men have been suppressing women, Sai called upon women, students, youth and the oppressed people to join hands to overthrow the capitalist system, which creates discrimination and economic gap, and bring a complete change towards an egalitarian society.
The celebration was attended by Vision Creative of Sciences, Thoubal Okram founder Tekcham Nandalal, MU department of Law faculty Nameirakpam Brajakanta, research scholar Sajabam Sanamacha and Thoubal Keithel Phambi Mathak Makha Apunba secretary Akoijam Budhimati Devi among others.
