Manipur women’s commission celebrates ten years

Imphal, Dec 11: The 10th Foundation Day celebrations of the Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) and a prize distribution to winners of an essay competition on the theme ‘Crime Against Women in Manipur’ was conducted today at the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan in Imphal.
Manipur police DIG Vandana Karki and the chairperson of the MSCW Dr K. Sobita Devi were the chief guest and the functional president of the celebrations.
Speaking at the event, DIG Vandana said that to safeguard the interest of women, the commission was constituted on September 15, 2006 as a statutory body at the state level, in pursuance of the MSCW Act, 2006.
Its mandate is very wide covering almost all aspects of women’s development. The role of the MSCW is to protect and promote the interests of women. From time to time, the commission organizes workshops and seminars for ‘better understanding of the commission.’ To tackle crimes against women, better coordination with police department was emphasized by the speakers.
Further, a ‘women helpline’ would be set up and made functional very shortly, it was informed. Any woman in distress and facing domestic violence or crimes may call the helpline anytime and receive help.
In her presidential speech, chairperson of the MSCW Dr K Sobita Devi spoke about the activities and achievements of the commission. In collaboration with the Social Welfare department, the commission will organize vocational guidance to the women inmates of the central jail within this month, it was informed.
The commission will also organise legal awareness programmes in schools and colleges especially for girls. The theme of this activity will be ‘protection of women for better future’.
As part of the celebration, the chief guest released a newsletter of the MSCW. Prizes were distributed to the winners of the essay competition.
Higher secondary and graduate-level students participated in the competition.