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Advisor Toshi Wungtung with others during the inaugural of the three-day state level workshop on gender budgeting for gender equality in rural areas at Ladies Common room, Meriema campus Nagaland University on February 19. (DIPR Photo)
Gender budgeting for gender equality in rural areas workshop underway
Merima, February 19 (MExN): Three-day state level workshop on gender budgeting for gender equality in rural areas was inaugurated at Ladies Common room, Meriema campus Nagaland University on February 19.
The workshop scheduled from February 19-21 is sponsored by Ministry of Women & Child Development Government of India and organized by Nagaland National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, North Eastern Regional Center (NIRD & PR- NERC) in collaboration with the Women’s Studies Center along with the Department of Education, Nagaland University.
A DIPR report stated that Advisor IPR, SCERT & Village Guards, Toshi Wungtung speaking at the programme said that there is a need to address gender issues in the state of Nagaland. He stated that in a democratic country and as long as we have voting rights, we are all equal before the law and both men and women are equal participants in this great country. He went on to say that both men and women should come forward equally and participate and raise the opinions and concerns as equal partners in a democracy. He added that at the end of the day political empowerment for the women in the state is the need of the hour as it is a tool to formulate policies.
He also said that culturally and philosophically women are no lesser stating that it is only in the socio-economic status there may be differences in policy approach. He said that gender budgeting should be sustainable in approach while regulating and forming various policies in different sectors of the country and society as we have different culture and social stratification.
He said that all said and done beyond women empowerment there is a need for empowering women politically and to partner with women in evaluating and formulating policies in the state. He stated that although Nagaland government had passed a resolution that every department must go into gender budgeting there is still much which needs to be done. He added that there are various schemes under the various departments for the upliftment of women folk.
He further hoped that the workshop will bring about a sustainable approach towards empowering women on gender budgeting for an equal and healthy society.
The objective of the three day workshop reviewed the rational role of gender budgeting as a tool for gender equality and also to examine the policy initiatives, programme, schemes and projects for gender mainstreaming and gender inclusive development in India. It also discussed the tools of gender budgeting at state level, examined the problems, constraints and difficulties in gender budgeting at different level and role of various stakeholders and key players in gender budgeting.
Resource persons for the workshop were Associate Prof NIRD & PR- NERC Dr. Jayanta Choudhury, Entrepreneur, Benjamin Chishi, Professor NU, Buno Liegise, Professor NU, Dr Lungsang Zeliang, Secretary NPSC, Kevekha Kevin Zehol, MD (Psychiatry) P. Ngully, Advocate Joshua Sheqi, Dr. Khotsole Khieya, Dr. Ratan Kaurinta, Asst. District Program Manager NSRLM DMMU Kohima, Kenivole Richa, and Principal JCC Dr. Asakho Hibo. Panelists for discussion on strategies for gender equality & gender budgeting were Dr. Anungla, Prof. Rosemary Dzuvichu, Dr. Asakho Hibo, Dr. Rukhono Iralu and Gracy Aye SRCW.
The program was chaired by Narola Chuba and welcome address was proposed by Professor NU, Buno Liegise. Vice Chancellor NU, Prof. Pardeshi Lal was the guest of honour and key note address was delivered by Associate Prof. NIRD & PR- NERC Dr. Jayanta Choudhury. Government officials, academicians, scholars, civil societies, NGOs and faculty members are participating in the three-day workshop.
