A day in tribute to women around the world

International Women’s Day was observed across the state on March 8. Women organisations, government groups and institutions conducted programmes on the day.

Mokokchung, March 8(EMN): The apex Ao women organisation Watsu Mungdang observed International Women’s Day with the theme “Be Bold for Change” at Sangtemla Community Hall in Mokokchung town on Wednesday. The main speaker of the event Dr Lanurenla, assistant professor at Fazl Ali College, spoke based on the theme.

According to Dr Lanurenla, ‘feminism’ is on its fourth wave; it’s all about being ‘back to one’s roots.’ Feminism has come across the ‘first, second and third wave’ which, she said, brought tremendous development and changes in the social and political status of women.

According to the teacher, she pointed out that the fourth wave was about the ‘multicultural world where the young are being influenced and dominated by popular culture over sub-cultures such as traditional and cultural ethos.’ She warned that ‘popular culture’ brought in by globalization ‘will destroy the very fibre of our rich folklore, tradition, and culture.’

In this regard, Dr Lanurenla opined that the study of culture was very important; even philosophers and academicians have advocated that the subjects should be studied separately because when ‘culture is lost, we lose our identity.’

Dr Lanurenla also lamented what she called the ‘imitation, affectation and superficiality’ in the society. “I thinking we are facing a problem where we try to imitate others and try to maintain a superficial life,” she stated. She has urged women to ponder upon the issues and to work toward bringing a transformation from within them.

Also, Sentimeren, associate pastor, spoke at the event. The pastor said that God created a beautiful soul when he created woman. Dwelling on the status of women in the society, Sentimeren said that the condition of women these days is much better than in the olden days. But, he lamented, women still have to struggle to achieve their dreams.

Sentimeren also spoke about what was pointed out as ‘six important ways to empower women’: women should know themselves; women should take wise decisions; women should stand firmly on honesty and truth to empower and uplift; women should not ‘spoil or compromise the beautiful soul bestowed by God when fighting for their rights’; women should choose the right direction without harming others when fighting for rights and women should be resilient.

After the programmeme, leaders of the Watsu Mungdang visited Tsumashiong Orphanage Home near Chungtia village of Mokokchung and distributed blankets to orphans staying at the institution.

Dimapur
(Staff Reporter)
Members of the Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation in Dimapur observed International Women’s Day on March 8 at Khiamniungan Baptist church in Dimapur.

Rose Mary Nyamnyei, the president of the organisation said in her welcome address that she was ‘glad to get one special day in 365 days to observe women’s day even though other women around the world has already been observing since in the early 1900’s.’

Chubala Tushi, former president of the Dimapur Baptist Women Union was the resource person for the event. She expressed happiness at having seen ‘the morning newspapers writing many good things about women’s day.’ She thanked God for the ‘big gift’ that has been bestowed upon women.

Further, saying it was fortunate they have ‘got recognition’ from the world, she advised however, that women must not forget the Almighty God for the ‘gift.’ Tushi also said that God created them to be a companion for men and to support them in every aspect of life and ‘remain clever like a snake and gentle like a dove.’

Speaking to the congregation from her experiences, the speaker said that it was back in 1989 when she boarded a flight from Calcutta to Dimapur: she was treated with respect by the flight attendants, unlike the others days. She said to have received a gift inside the plane and a wish she had never heard before, “Happy International women’s day.” It was something new for her and that was the first time she came to know about this special day, she said.

Tushi also spoke about Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and social and political activist who struggled for equality and how 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. At Copenhagen in 1911, International Women’s Day was announced across Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

She added that in the United States, former President Barack Obama had proclaimed March 2011 to be “Women’s History Month”. She encouraged the ENWOD to fight together ‘for Nagaland and be a good woman for our own people for Naga people and for the world.’

International Women’s Day and Swachh Shakti Week
In Dimapur, the district authorities observed the day with Swachh Shakti Week. The event was conducted in the premises of the PHED (Rural) division in Dimapur.

SDO (civil) James Swu said during the event that among many other laudable missions launched by the government of India, the Swachh Bharat Mission was ‘one of the best, as cleanliness benefits both physical and mental health.’ He underscored the importance of active participation of women in achieving the desired target.

Executive Engineer of the PHED (rural) division, L Tongpang Longkumer said in his introductory speech that the centre launched the Swach Shakti Week on March 1, by Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Narendra Singh Tomar in Haryana coinciding with international women’s day on March 8. He said that the significance of this event was to highlight women’s role in the Clean India Mission.

FPA
The FPA unit of Nagaland conducted what it called a “Free Gynae Consultancy” event at the Reproductive Health and Family Planning Clinic in Daklane in Kohima town. “Keeping the theme of 2017 #Be Bold For Change, the Branch celebrate the day with the clients marking a call to action for accelerating gender parity and empowered them to envisage a world where girls and women enjoy equal rights,” a note from the organisation stated. ‘Before OPD session started, significance of the day was highlighted to the gathering clients and they were also informed of the health information on Cervical Cancer and Breast Cancer which are the most common cancer in women both in the developed and developing countries,’ the note explained.

During the event, the participants were informed about the risk factors of cancers, signs and symptoms, criteria for age and frequency of cancer screening, prevention and control, and types of screening test, among others. 43 clients received free medical health services including counselling and laboratory services, the organisers informed.

BJMM
The Bharatiya Janata Mahila Morcha of Nagaland also observed the occasion at the BJP’s state office in Dimapur. The BJMM’s state president Sanuo Ngullie said in her address that International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8 to recognize and appreciate women’s political, economic and social achievements all over the world.

“The day should be an inspiration and encouragement to Endeavour and build a better world, where men and women live harmoniously,” the organisers stated in the press release. “It should be made aware that the first lessons of inclusive support among men and women start at home and onto the larger arena of the society.”

The organisation stated that people can together start with women empowerment right at home to create an ‘equitable society.’

“We can encourage our mothers, sisters, daughters and wives to pursue their dreams and excel in their careers. A whole hearted support be it however trivial will boost their self confidence and have a transforming impact on women’s life in particular and the Society in general,” it added.

WSSO
Celebrating International Women’s Day and also to commemorate the weeklong celebration of Swachh Shakti Week, a grand programmeme was held at Longkumer Kilem in Mokokchung by the WSSO of PHED in partnership with Mokokchung Arts and Aesthetic Management.

Addressing at the programmeme as the chief guest, the ADC of Mokokchung, Bendanglila, said that women play a pivotal role in maintaining cleanliness in every homestead and it is therefore very appropriate that they should take up the challenges to keep the community clean and healthy.

She opined that, they can take up these initiatives by adopting certain natural resources like rivulet and water sources in their locality, keeping it free from disposal wastes. She further encouraged the women folks to manage household waste by segregating biodegradable waste into a compost pit for organic manure.

She also shared his appreciation to the nodal department PHED for successfully carrying out the objectives of Swachh Bharat mission.

During the occasion, the chief guest gave away prizes to winners of an art competition on the theme ”Vision/Dream of a clean village”. Arijungla Lemtur of QMHSS won the first prize; the second prize went to Nungshibenla of Children English School; the third prize went to Kilangienla of Edith Douglas HSS.

As a token of appreciation for their efforts to keep the town clean, the department awarded cash and certificates to 25 women sanitation workers.

MGMHSS
The MGM Higher Secondary School also celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8 along with rest of the world. A special assembly was conducted by students of class-9 during which the Word of God was read by Manwara, while the ‘news’ was read by Ronsulo; prayers were led by Anwara. Fr.PS Varghese talked about the importance of the day, a note from the school on Tuesday stated.

Old Showuba
The Women Action committee of old Showuba village also celebrated International women’s Day in the village “taking a leap of faith in embracing change for better prospects of the future generations,” a note from the organisation stated on Wednesday.

Tuensang
International Women’s Day and “closing ceremony of Swachh Shakti Week’ under Swachh Bharat Mission was observed at Tuensang on March 8. The event was organised by the PHED department. The deputy commissioner of Tuensang, Alem Jongshi, was the chief guest of the event.

Speaking on the occasion the DC appreciated the PHED Department for organising such a programmeme for women who is the steering wheel of the family in cleanliness. He added that first priority of women as a home maker is maintaining clean surrounding and better sanitation and that women has a role to play in stopping open defecation in society.

He said that Swachh Bharat is the most important mission of the Government of India with a vision to clean India by
2019.

The chief guest urged the gathering that men should also shoulder the same responsibility as women in maintaining better sanitation and pollution free environment to make India Clean.

The executive engineer of the PHED of Tuensang Bursenla Ao spoke about the Swachh Shakti under the Swachh Bharat Mission which mainly focuses on women ‘who is the pillar in maintaining clean and pollution free environment.’ She added that better household toilet and sanitation facilities can bring ‘social security to women in society.’