Women doing much better than men in Nagaland — Toy

Our Correspondent Kohima, March 8 (EMN): The chief secretary of Nagaland, Tali Temjen Toy on Friday said that women are doing much better than men in the state. Speaking at the International Women’s Day celebration in Kohima, Toy said: “Perhaps, a time will come when we will have to encourage men to be at par with women.” The chief secretary asserted that women deserve equal rights and equity in all aspects. He was grateful to the State Resource Centre for Women, Social Welfare department, various agencies and centres, such as, Women Helpline-181, Sakhi-one stop centre, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) schemes, etc. He went on to say that the kind of services provided by such agencies are always “so satisfying.” Saying that empowering women is not the sole responsibility of the Social Welfare department or the agencies under it, he requested all the departments to come forward and bear equal responsibility. Expressing shock at the prevalence of domestic violence in the state, he said: “We think that this is something that happens in mainland India but not in Nagaland.” He added that it was sad to learn that domestic violence against women takes place every day and there are a whole lot of women who had to undergo torture in silence. During the event, Toy also released ‘data bank- volume 2,’ a compilation of women-centric schemes and programmes, video on women helpline-181, MSK and sakhi-one stop centre. The theme song for women titled “Rise, Naga Woman” was officially launched during the event. It was composed by Professor Theyiesenuo Keditsu, and sung by former Naga Idol Topeni. The programme was organised by the State Resource Centre for Women, Nagaland State Social Welfare Board, and department of Social Welfare, government of Nagaland.