Neposo Theluo, IAS, Secretary RD with Imtimenla, MD NSRLM, Sreeram, national resource person and officials at the stakeholders meeting at Secretariat Conference Hall Kohima.
Kohima, November 18 (MExN): In regard to the nationwide campaign against gender based discrimination which will be launched by President of India, Droupadi Murmu on November 25, a state level consultative meeting of stakeholders on gender campaign was organized by the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) on November 17.
The meeting was attended by 16 line departments and CSOs under the chairmanship of Neposo Theluo, IAS, Secretary to Government of Nagaland in the Secretariat Conference Hall, Kohima.
In his opening remarks, the chairperson stated that the nationwide campaign of the MoRD through DAY-NRLM is a convergent campaign to address gender-based discrimination with stakeholder departments, agencies, Civil Societies and NGOs participating in various activities through a collective effort to address issues of gender discrimination, violence and other gender-based issues, a press release stated.
Delivering the keynote address, Imtimenla, Mission Director, NSRLM informed that during the gender campaign, Nagaland is one of the 12 states to inaugurate a Gender Resource Centre (GRC) at Jakhama RD Block by the Block Level Federation of SHGs.
She stated that the campaign will focus on four pillars to achieve the ultimate objective of advancing the agency and rights of women and gender-diverse individuals, by addressing structural barriers for dignified living with no fear and discrimination and violence based on their gender and intersectional identities. The four pillars are Acknowledge; Speak Up; Seek Support; and Show Solidarity.
She said the need to address gender issues, to focus on women empowerment is being emphasized by all Ministries and that this community-led campaign will involve partners in working towards acknowledging, identifying and addressing issues of violence. Over the years this campaign will incorporate an intersectional approach deepening the understanding of gender and generating relevance and ownership in all departments and verticals with a multisectoral approach, she added.
Orientation on GRC was shared by Sreeram SV, National Resource Person, DAY-NRLM where he explained that the GRC would function like a referral where victims or aggrieved persons could seek redressal through support of departments and agencies working on these issues. He requested support from the line departments and CSOs to make the Centre a place to get the issues of aggrieved and victims of gender-based violence or other forms of discrimination addressed, and also serve as a hub for awareness generation on schemes available for women and vulnerable alike.
Khriezovonuo Lhoungu, State Program Manager-SISD, NSRLM shared a PPT highlighting expected support and roles of stakeholder departments and organizations wherein she mentioned that the Gender Campaign is everyone’s campaign and the Mission would require support from the stakeholders to conduct its activities.
Campaign Pledge for Men and Women shared by the MoRD was taken by participants followed by interactions and discussions on the campaign and clarification of doubts. Nodal representatives from departments and organizations of Rural Development, Social Welfare, Health & Family Welfare, Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, State Hub for Women Empowerment, Women Helpline, School Education, Urban Development, Women Resources, Tribal Affairs, Home, Planning, State Legal Services Authority, State Commission for Women, Naga Mothers Association, Eastern Naga Women’s Organization with NSRLM and DDUGKY attended the consultative meeting.
The campaign would be held at the state, districts, blocks and community level with all themes focused on gender-based issues and women empowerment.
