Kohima, March 7 (DIPR): International Women's Day was celebrated at the Heritage, Kohima on March 7 under the theme “A Salute to Womanhood”.
Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir IAS, was the chief guest during the celebration programme. Speaking at the function the chief guest said that Naga women are becoming pro-active and viewed that lot of improvement is visible though he observed that the journey is not complete. The future of Naga women is not as gloomy as we think, he added.
Citing the example of his life, Alemtemshi said that if he is considered as more sensitive towards women issues, it is all because of those women around him which makes him to respect women, saying that a lot depend on women of how a man treats women. Emphasizing on women empowerment, he said that when we empower women the greatest benefit goes to the whole family. We are not fighting for women but for the entire society he added. Alemtemshi also reminded that the biggest issue ahead is the municipal election, which is to be held in April, saying that it was an issue of law that has been already passed in the Assembly. Towards this, he desired for a peaceful environment so that equality takes place. Stating that reservation is fundamentally an act of superiority complex and it is not asking for participatory approach he challenged the women not to ask somebody to empower them by saying that 'you really don't men to empower you' as there is lot of hope in the future for women in Nagaland.
Prof. Temsula who also delivered a short speech said that the word empower is heard in many occasion which indicates that the women are in need of empowerment. She said that the theme 'A Salute to Womanhood' is rightly chosen because many women have sacrificed their lives side by side with men in many situations adding that even in work places women occupy equal or even higher place. She also said that since childhood, people are being taught that man are superior for just being a man admitting that it is hard to be a woman in a man's world. Prof. Temsula therefore appealed to the government to install infrastructure for women empowerment in rural areas.
OSD Finance Department V. Kezo who also spoke on the topic 'Place of Women in Naga Society' said that women job is truly endless because of which he observed that women in rural areas are aged beyond their age. He said that although lot of things have changed in towns and cities, yet in villages women struggle a lot admitting that it is still a man's world. People do not pause to think how they should treat the most loves one, he added. Though lot of innovative intervention programme in the State have brought many changes in the society yet he said that majority of women in rural areas are living in darkness. He therefore urged the society to learn to be kind and considerate to women as they are the essence of a home and the benefit will come to all.
Earlier the programme was chaired by Secretary Women Development Department, Meilemla Pongener, IAS and the invocation prayer was pronounced by Faith Harvest Church Pastor Shan Kikon. The function was also favoured by a special song from Jonathan Lushai and the vote thanks was proposed by Secretary NSSWB, Daisy Mezhur. During the programme awards were also given to the winners of the essay and painting competition for Adolescence Girls which was held at Mezhur Higher Secondary School on 6th March 2012.
The programme was jointly organized by Nagaland State Commission for Women, Department of Women Development and Nagaland State Social Welfare Board.
