EMN
Dimapur, March 12
The presence of women in decision-making being recognized as having a positive effective on the outcome of global economic systems, there was no reason why women should not come forward and participate in the political process and policy-making decisions, women of the state have been told.
Former finance minister K Therie told members of the Congress women wing recently that women ought to be ‘come out’ and take a stand on issues of common interest affecting the state of Nagaland and its people.
The Nagaland Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee observed International Women’s Day on March 10 in the Congress Bhavan in Kohima town. K Therie, the president of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) was addressing the program.
Delivering the Keynote address of the event, K. Therie said that it was time that ‘women liberate and come out to vote together on issues of common interest.’ The former finance minister urged the women to join the political system to be catalysts of change. Saying that gender parity was of utmost importance in today’s emerging markets, with the presence of women in decision-making being recognized as having a positive effective on the outcomes, he said there was no reason why women should not come forward. This fact is even more telling particularly given the high literacy rate Nagaland has, he said.
Appreciating various women leaders, Therie particularly mentioned Lt. Rano Shaiza, former member of the parliament, for achieving ‘what is yet to come for many.’
Saying that women form 50% of the electorate Therie said that women should also be represented in all levels of political platforms in corresponding ratio. He also appealed to the government ‘to withdraw the case and effectively implement 33% reservation at all levels.’
Speeches on the topic ‘women liberation and women empowerment’ were delivered by Jarjum, general secretary, and Rosy Thompson, secretary of the NPCC.
The event also saw the Congress worker adopt a number of resolutions. The Congress issued a press release on Friday informing of the resolutions.
In the first resolution, the Nagaland Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee declared its commitment to strive for “women liberation” and women empowerment.
“We re-affirm our stand to fight for equality, Justice and respect for each other. We also re-affirm our stand on 33% reservation and urge the Govt. of the day to withdraw the case and effectively implement to provide seats in the LSGs and state assembly,” the press release stated.
The members also resolved to appeal to women of the state to participate in the ‘political system’ to enable to implement the UN Vision 50-50 by 2030.
International Women’s Day, originally called International Working Women’s Day, is celebrated on March 8 every year. In different regions, the focus of the celebrations range from general celebration of respect, appreciation, and love towards women for their economic, political, and social achievements.
In some regions, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for people to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. In other regions, however, the political and human rights themes designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner. Some people celebrate the day by wearing purple ribbons.
The earliest celebration was held as a Socialist political event in 1909. It blended the culture of many countries, primarily in Europe, especially those in the Soviet Bloc. Declared a national holiday in the Soviet Union in 1917, it spread to other nearby countries. It is now celebrated in many Eastern countries.
