PTI
GUWAHATI, FEBRUARY 16
India’s northeast has considerable potential in terms of human resource which can be realised when everyone, including women, gets an opportunity to contribute both politically and economically to society, British Deputy High Commissioner Scott Furssedonn-Wood said today.
“It is clear that increasing women’s political and social participation brings about clear and positive changes in society,” Furssedonn-Wood said, speaking at the Roundtable Consultation on ‘Tribal Women’s Rights in North East India: Access to Representation & Justice’.
Government and civil society can work together on initiatives to empower women, build capacity and knowledge, and encourage more women to participate in politics and governance, he said.
“The potential of India’s northeast is considerable. That potential is built on the strength of its human resources.
But it will only ever be achieved if every member of society -- of whatever gender, religion or ethnic background -- has the opportunity to realise their own potential and to make a full contribution to the political and economic life of their society,” Furssedonn-Wood said.
The Deputy High Commissioner said he understands the economic potential of the region and the challenge of ensuring sustainable peace, gender equality and good governance to make the potential into a reality.
He said the British High Commission was engaged in several government-to-government and people-to-people programmes in the North East and has met many committed and dynamic people who are trying to make a difference.
“I can honestly say it is the girls and women campaigning for their rights who have inspired me most,” Furssedonn-Wood said, speaking at the programme organised by think-tank Centre For Development & Peace Studies.
He said gender inequalities pervade cultures worldwide, preventing women from fully realising their rights and fully contributing to global development, but a society can only achieve its full potential when all its members, men and women, have equality of opportunity.
Highlighting that women, who comprise more than half the global population, represent only 20 per cent of political leaders in the world, he said it is essential they play a full and active role in the political process to ensure progressive growth. Countries with higher civic engagement and stronger attitudes towards equality and fairness towards women have significantly higher levels of per capita income in the long run, Furssedonn-Wood said.
