RONO HILLS, Feb 23: A one day Symposium-cum-Panel discussion on Women Empowerment and Child Rights was organized by the Rajiv Gandhi University’s Department of Political Science in collaboration with the State Government as a part of 31^st Statehood day celebrations on February 22 at the jam-packed main auditorium of the university.

Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Dr. Kiran Bedi, who attended as Chief Guest in her spellbinding speech acknowledged that women need to develop certain masculine qualities to make empowerment possible.

‘Women are more efficient because they have the touch of humanity, heart and healing in their dealings and conduct. But they need to develop some of the attributes of males in terms of masculinity, mobility and money power to make their empowerment possible. Unless a woman develops these attributes, their empowerment will remain a distant dream in society,’ she said.

She further said that, today society is facing two basic challenges of how to make men more responsible and honest and how to make a woman more courageous.

‘These challenges could be addressed only when the two walk hand-in-hand,’ she said.

Praising the state government and RGU for giving a platform, Dr. Bedi said that reformation and understanding are needed in society through such symposiums.

Later, she effectively and promptly attended to a volley of questions from the audience.  

Speaking on the occasion the Vice-Chancellor of RGU Prof. Tamo Mibang was optimistic that the Symposium would sensitize the participants and opined that ethical and moral lessons should be taught to the students and academic curriculum on sex education and gender studies should be introduced as mandated academic disciplines right from school to university level education system, which will ultimately pave the holistic way for social change.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the symposium and the head of the department of Political Science Dr. Nabam Nakha Hina while welcoming the gathering delivered a brief account on the conduct and importance of the symposium. Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science Dr. David Gao proposed the vote of thanks.

Altogether 700 participants comprising of faculty members and officials of RGU, research scholars, post graduate students and representatives of various CBOs and NGOs and various colleges and institutes from the capital complex region, besides government officials, women activists and student union leaders took part in the symposium. Panellists Dr. Alana Golmei, founder director of PANNNU Foundation, Delhi, Monika Arora, senior Advocate Supreme Court of India, Nayana Shastrabude, Shtri Shakti NGO Mumbai, Mithali Tingkhatra, Yalem Taga Burang and Advocate Sunil Mow from Arunachal Pradesh acted as resource persons and shared first-hand information and expertise on the burning and relevant topics and other parameters during the two brainstorming technical sessions, immensely benefiting the participants.

Dr. Alana Golmei, founder director of Pann Nu Foundation, Delhi, shared the northeast scenario centering on problems of Naga women in Nagaland besides the struggle of northeasterners in mainland India, while Monika Arora, senior Advocate Supreme Court of India, chairing a technical session gave legal inputs and spoke on provisions of legal and constitutional rights of women in the country. Nayana Shastrabude of Shtri Shakti NGO Mumbai, who chaired the 2^nd technical session advocated for perceptional change in society towards women.

Pointing out that the concept of empowerment itself is not clear Chairperson, state commission for women Mithali Tingkhatra pitched against the practice of polygamy in the state and also lamented about the growing child marriage cases.

Yalem Taga Burang, President East Siang Women Wing of Adi Baane Kebang while drawing reference to the movement of the Adi Baane Kebang against drugs abuse and IMFL causing havoc in society especially among the youths stressed that mothers at home and teachers can play proactive role in bringing change. Advocate Sunil Mow while speaking on child rights issues gave a detailed account on Juvenile Justice Act.

The symposium also marked a lively interactive session where many queries and doubts were cleared by the panellists followed by distribution of participatory certificates.

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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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