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Dimapur, Dec. 18 (EMN): Minister for Higher and Technical Education, and Tribal Affairs, Temjen Imna Along on Wednesday applauded the Working Woman Project (WWP) team along with Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA (Dimapur 2 A/C) for taking the initiative towards helping women generate their own income, apart from enabling them to exhibit their talents by organising the Working Woman Expo.
The expo was inaugurated by Along at the Dimapur Government College ground on Wednesday where the minister expressed appreciation to Longkumer for empowering women from the 242 self-help groups (SHGs).
“I feel elated and also jealous after seeing this set up of the expo and the initiative taken; I too would like to follow in his footstep,” shared Along adding that Longkumer is headed in the right direction with the launch of the WWP.
Along expressed that it was high time women step out and do whatever they want; as women can do everything a man can, or even better.
“We talk about women empowerment all the time but sometimes Naga women are confined only to the kitchen but women can do everything else in this day and age,” Along said.
Appealing to all women, he encouraged them to have their own strength and not 'fall at the feet of others.'
“If your freedom is in bondage and you are dependent then, that just means you can never be free,” Along stated.
Further, Along reiterated that by depending on others, Nagas have in recent times lost their ‘traditions and customs’.
The minister encouraged the gathering to buy local products and promote the way of life from this region. “Today we are Indians but we are also Nagas, we have to balance and live together,” stated Along.
“We all must try to give good market linkage and get across the products not only nationally but internationally as well,” said Along.
The minister assured that a sum of INR 1 crore under the livelihood mission scheme of the department of Tribal Affairs will be set aside next year for the project, which will benefit many more women.
A member of Eloe SHG spoke at the event where she thanked Longkumer and stated that it was not everyday a Naga woman gets an opportunity like this.
“We have the talent to produce many things but if there is no platform or encouragement then it goes to waste,” she said adding that the WWP and the expo will be the foundation for the modern working woman.