World Humanitarian Day observed in Kohima

DIMAPUR — World Humanitarian Day was observed on Tuesday, along with community leaders and womenfolk, at the Daklane Panchayat Hall in Kohima on the theme “Strengthening global solidarity and empowering local communities”.

The programme was attended by Councillor of Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) Kazheli Tungoe, accompanied by Councillor Thenuso Sekhose, stated a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, Tungoe exhorted the gathering on the importance of good health-seeking behaviour, particularly among the womenfolk, stating that hesitancy, stigma, and shame must not become hurdles to timely health-seeking practices among mothers and women.

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The dangers of prolonged delay to timely health check-ups only result in consequences which otherwise are avoidable and manageable, she said, and emphasised that menfolk attending the programme is a positive sign of male involvement for the health of women.

Earlier in the programme, Vingosanuo Khatso, programme officer, Family Planning Association of India (FPAI), briefed the gathering on the significance and history of World Humanitarian Day and the importance of local communities’ role in mitigation and emergency response in times of natural disasters and also man-made disasters and conflicts.

She also informed the gathering on the works of FPAI with regard to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) emergency response efforts, capabilities, and preparedness.

Speaking on the cervical cancer situation, Vingosanuo said every 90 seconds the world loses a woman to cervical cancer and that the second leading cause of death among women aged 15 to 44 in India is due to cervical cancer, which is largely preventable but for a lack of awareness on life-saving measures such as human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and regular screenings, coupled with stigma and poverty.

On the occasion, Tungoe also launched the IEC campaign and cervical screening programme, which is aimed at all the KMC women councillors’ wards by the association as part of its efforts to create a series of awareness programmes and services on cervical cancer prevention, screenings, and addressing vaccine hesitancy.