Itanagar, Oct 11: The Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society celebrated its 46th Foundation Day with a one-day state level workshop titled “Socio-Legal Challenges Faced by the Women of Arunachal Pradesh Regarding Marriage and Divorce.”
Organised in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority, the workshop saw the participation of law students from various colleges, along with members of APWWS, its branches, and affiliate members, to commemorate the 46th Foundation Day-cum-General Body Meeting of the Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society.
Prof. Vandana Upadhyay of the Women’s Studies and Research Centre, Department of Economics, Rajiv Gandhi University, said that issues such as identity, representation, indigenous knowledge, and political action need to be part of the feminist development discourse.
She further stated that agrarian change has impacted men and women differently. She noted the replacement of collective ownership with private ownership of land, which has led to gendered dispossession. She also highlighted that the state has male-centric private property rights over land, and that there is an increasing feminisation of agriculture and a higher work burden for women in crop farming.
The District and Sessions Judge, Yupia, Dr. Hirendra Kashyap, spoke on the legal challenges faced by the women of Arunachal Pradesh regarding marriage and divorce.
He said that the state needs a common and clear law relating to marriage, divorce and inheritance. He further stated that personal law can be enacted, provided it is not in derogation of central legislation. However, he noted that this is a challenge, as there are only four women MLAs among the 60 MLAs in the state, and members of the Legislative Assembly follow different customs.
Tania Kipa, advocate, spoke on elements of marriage, divorce, and maintenance under customary laws in Arunachal Pradesh.
Techi Nech, advocate and legal aid counsel, also spoke about the schemes introduced by the government for the welfare of women. Advocate Iken Ado from the Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority also addressed the gathering.
During the celebration, the audio track "Utho Nari," produced by APWWS, was released. Artists Yabi Sikom Dugi, Dai Meri Tatung, Koj Mary Punyo, and choreographer Toge Sora were felicitated.
During the day, Kani Nada Maling, the incumbent President of the Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society, was re-elected as President.
Meanwhile, the day was observed across the state by APWWS branches and affiliate bodies in Yingkiong, Basar, Seppa, Koloriang, Tuting, Daporijo, Miao, Longding, Yomcha, and Aalo with various events.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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