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KOHIMA — Minister for Women Resource Development and Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, launched a 'Skill development for rural women through mobile skill morung' programme at the village council hall in Sechü-Zubza, Kohima district, on Monday.
An initiative of the Department of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (ESDE), the initiative aims to empower rural women by providing essential skills in tailoring.
Addressing the event, the minister emphasised the potential of the programme, noting that the day marked the beginning of a journey that would not only equip participants with the skills to create beautiful garments but also serve as a source of livelihood. She highlighted that the trainees' dedication and passion would be crucial to their success.
Kruse also lauded the department, led by the Advisor for Labour and Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Moatoshi Longkumer, for spearheading the initiative.
Kovi Meyase, secretary and ex-officio director of ESDE, in his speech highlighted the urgency of addressing the disparity in workforce participation between rural and urban women.
He said that only 27% of rural women in developing countries are part of the labour force, compared to 56% in urban areas. He added that in South Asia, while 80% of economically active women reside in rural areas, only 20% are engaged in wage and salaried jobs.
This, he said, conveys the need for targeted interventions such as the Mobile Skill Morung.
Drawing attention to the local context, Meyase noted that in Nagaland, despite a female workforce participation rate (WPR) of 44% according to the 2011 census—higher than the national average of 25.5%—rural women primarily engage in agriculture, which limits their access to more remunerative work.
He maintained that the core objective of the programme is to provide skill training opportunities to rural women who face challenges in accessing such programmes due to familial responsibilities and geographical constraints.
Meyase asserted that the Mobile Skill Morung, a mobile skill training van, is an innovative solution to these challenges. The van travels to different locations, setting up temporary training centres where women can conveniently access training in various skills.
He informed that the training programme is also underway simultaneously at Suruhuto, Zunheboto, where another van is stationed. He added that, after this phase, the two mobile skill morungs will be stationed at Phomching, Mon, and Wozhuro, Wokha.
He maintained that during the second phase of the training programme, another 100 women will be trained in baking. He also informed that every woman trained under this programme will receive a basic startup toolkit, enabling them to commence livelihood activities immediately upon completion of their training.
A total of 25 trainees from 11 villages are undergoing the training in Kohima.