DIMAPUR JUNE 10 (MExN): A consultation workshop on “Church response to Women in Difficult Situation” was held today at the Chakhesang Baptist Church, Dimapur. It was organized jointly by Prodigals’ Home and Miqlat Ministry, Women department, NBCC.
Attended by various church and NGO representatives, highlights include exhortations by women church leaders, stories from the field by social homes and organizations, discussions on the vulnerability of women to HIV/AIDS. Resource persons at the workshop said that there are numerous awareness programs conducted frequently but it was now time for concrete action. With 1344 churches under the NBCC and the church being the major social organization in the Naga community, it was time that the churches step in to help combat the menace asserted Nukshila Aying, women leader Police Baptist Church, Dimapur.
A representative from Prodigals Home recounted the sad story of a sex-worker dependent on drugs, “I am a woman of loose moral character, how can I face them (her family).” According to some of the speakers, women are the worst affected by the HIV/AIDs epidemic and difficult situations. Another representative from Samaritan Home described some of the prejudices that impect the rehabilitation of women. Citing an example, she described the initial hesitancy of church elders in allowing alcoholics, drug addicts and sex-workers to enter so called holy places or religious buildings for rehabilitation.
The program also included talks on “Church Response to Women in Difficult Situations; Past, Pesent and Future” by Alemla and discussions and action-plans by Nino Sakhrie, President, Dimapur Town Baptist Women Fellowship.
