ITANAGAR, Mar 8: Along with the rest of the world, International Women’s Day (IWD) was celebrated on Sunday with great fervour and enthusiasm all across Arunachal Pradesh.
Capital Governor Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) participated in IWD celebrations here at Raj Bhavan in a programme organised by the ladies of his official residential establishment under the patronage of First Lady Neelam Misra.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor while quoting the oldest Indian legal treatise by the ancient jurisprudence luminary Manu, said in a society where there is respect for women there is peace and progress. Governor said that providing rightful position to women in society is the national objective and the present government is sincerely doing it through various initiatives like ‘Beti Padhao Beti Bacho’, provision of toilets in each house, cooking gas distribution, abolition of triple talaq, death sentence for rape of minor girls etc.
Calling upon the women of the state to fight against drug abuse, which he said is a challenge to every Arunachalee, he also exhorted the women to motivate and encourage their daughters to join the Indian Armed Forces and the air hospitality sectors. Commemorating the occasion, Governor felicitated various women achievers of the state namely Taba Yall Nabam, (Music), Joya Tasung Moyong (Social Service), Licha Ampi (Entrepreneur), Nachat Munham (Music), Dr. Jamuna Bini (Literature) and Onilu Tega (Sportsperson).
Secretary, Women and Child Development Niharika Rai highlighted the government projects and schemes for empowerment of women. A short documentary ‘Bunai Ke Rangin Duniya’ conceptualized by the First Lady was screened. A play ‘Ek Parampara, Ek Pechan’ showcasing the various indigenous textiles of Arunachal Pradesh was presented by the inmates of Oju Welfare Association, Naharlagun. Ake Deekshitha presented a kuchipudi classical dance, while Manami Moyir Gamlin presented Kathakali.
Women and Child Development Minister Alo Libang while attending the IWD celebration here at the auditorium of Don Bosco School in Vivek Vihar amidst a huge gathering said change in mindset is essential to achieve gender equality in society.
The Minister said customs, traditions and practices which are not in tune with the times must be discarded. While stating that child marriage in state has declined drastically, he underscored the role of education in arresting various social evils and reiterated state government’s commitment in spreading awareness in this regard. “State government will take all steps for upliftment of status of women in our state,” he said and opined Arunachal is better off than other state in the country in providing equal rights, education and opportunity to the girl child. 
Libang urged Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) to tie-up with the Women and Child Development Department to spread awareness on women-centric schemes in far-flung areas and urged the Gaon Buras to visit the Anganwadi centres in their respective villages to ensure that government schemes reach the targeted beneficiaries. Earlier, the Minister administered Poshan Abhiyaan pledge to the participants. Women and Child Development Secretary Niharika Rai while speaking on the occasion said equality and respect for women must start from home and emphasized on women education and health.
APSCW Chairperson Radhilu Chai Techi lamented at the gender disparity in politics and business and stated that change in reducing this gap is ‘agonisingly slow’ which will take 100 years before the global inequality gap between men and women disappear entirely. 
Speaking on the IWD 2020 theme “Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights for an Equal Future”, she highlighted APSCW’s recommendations to the state government viz., appointment of Independent Protection Officers to curtail rising instances of domestic violence, effective implementation of PWDV Act 2005, compulsory registration of marriage to stop child marriage and polygamy, strict implementation of CCS conduct rule against government employees practicing polygamy, equal representation through sports quota, shelter and short stay homes for women, 33% reservation of jobs, soft loans for single women and widow, special schemes for girls to take up entrepreneurship, free and compulsory education for girls up to college etc.
Earlier the Chairperson while delivering the keynote address of the two-day awareness workshop  said despite several movements during the last several years, women remain unvalued due to lack of proper implementation, political will etc. She also appreciated the state government for its support in compulsory marriage registration, working women hostels, children home, scholarships for higher education for girl child and 33% reservation for women in Panchayats and Municipalities.
The women journalists highlighted the challenges they face in their professional environment, especially regarding security measures in their respective offices. Most of them stressed the need for the both print and electronic media houses to ensure that transport facilities are provided to the women staff and emphasized the need for ensuring that women journalists get adequate maternity leave and other benefits as welfare measures. Acknowledging the problem of proper security measures in various print and electronic media houses of the state, Indian Journalists Union (IJU) National Secretary and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists’ (APUWJ) President Amar Sangno assured APUWJ will soon convene a meeting with the proprietors of both print and electronic media houses of the state regarding the issue. He also appealed the women journalists to come forward and put forth their suggestions on similar pressing issues in forthcoming meeting.
Further, citing the pending cases of attempt to murder of senior journalist Tongam Rina and vandalism at The Arunachal Times office, he stated that APUWJ will continue with its fight and take up the matter with the authorities till justice is delivered.
State BJP Mahila Morcha led by its President Higio Aruni celebrated the day here at the party office. Pangin MLA and BJP Vice President Ojing Tasing advocated for the economic and social upliftment of women and highlighted several schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Dulari Kanya Yojana etc that focus on women in particular. Resource Person Dr. Tana Aruna Likha spoke at length on women as an equal partner in the society. Advocate and Senior Karyakarta Tadar Dominic and Nabam Yahi briefed on the legal rights of women.
Arunachal Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee observed International Women's Day at capital’s Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in a befitting manner which was attended by hundreds of women from all walks of life including the rank & file of APMCC, DMCC, BMCC,CMCC, Mahila Panchayat leaders and housewives.
The proceedings of the day was anchored by General Secretary Hq & Administration APMCC Chukhu Nachi. Vice-President, APMCCC Yame Tok elaborated about the aims and objects of the day and recollected the sacrifices made by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for paving the way for women's empowerment in the country. General Secretary, APCC Gyamar Tana asserted women’s role in nation building and advised the women community to take part in various activities like NGOs for self-employment and other business ventures. Dulom General Secretary, APYC Tanu Nima also spoke on the occasion. President, City Mahila Congress Committee Techi Kunia delivered the vote of thanks.
Lower Subansiri
State Home Minister Bamang Felix and Education Minister Er.Taba Tedir attended the IWD celebration at Yazali which saw participation of around 7000 women SHG members from 13 blocks under Upper Subansiri, Lower Subansiri,  East Kameng, Kamle and Kra Daddi districts under the agies of "Tani Anne Dokum".
With the theme "For awakening and uplifting each other towards glorious future of Arunachal Pradesh" women from across these blocks shared their journey from housewives to a bold and informed citizens. Greeting the gathering, Felix gave a clarion call to the women by saying-"Being aware of your rights and privileges will ensure your upliftment. Leave no stones unturned to ensure that your children especially the girls are educated." Terming the women as the storehouse of courage and power, he appealed them to join hands with the police in ensuring a safe and secure environment. "Hamara Arunachal Abhiyan is a move towards communal harmony and social security and its success will definitely depend on the coordination between police and womenfolk in particular," he added while informing that the formation of Mothers’ Associations (MAA) has been encouraged in all sectors.
Responding to a memorandum submitted by the Tani Ane Dokum, he assured to increase  the state’s share of initial fund provided to the SHGs under ArSRLM in the next budget and assured to coordinate a meeting with all block coordinators to look into the grievances. Education Minister read out the message of the Chief Minister on the occasion. Lauding the efforts of the SHGs particularly the Ligu Ane Nyame for streamlining the Ligu Higher Secondary School by imposing strict time tables for students & teachers, he expressed hope that with women folk leading from the front, positive social changes is imminent. CEO cum SMD ArSRLM T. Siga highlighted the objectives of ArSRLM. Members of SHGs from various blocks shared their experiences and highlighted various activities initiated by them pertaining to implementing the ban on alcohol sale in unauthorized locations, weeding out of bhang, facilitating health sub-centres and schools, Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, social services, sponsoring education of orphans etc.
Tani Anne Dokum is a member-owned and member-organized programme where SHG members from five districts and 13 blocks participated and all together 1061 SHGs funded by ArSRLM and 9080 households are covered under it.
Papum Pare
As a part of the IWD celebrations, IOGS (Itanagar Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society) and TRIHMS  under the banner of FOGSI (Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society of India) conducted a camp on breast and cervical cancer screening at 12 NDRF Doimukh Camp which benefited 76 families.
The screening tests were done free of cost.  President IOGS Dr. Bombei Tayeng emphasized on self-breast examination to detect breast cancer at an early stage as approximately 70000 women die of it in India every year and shared the figure that cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer in women globally. When cervical cancer is detected and managed at an early stage, it has over 93% cure rate, she informed.
The free screening & awareness camp was conducted with the logistic support provided by the 2nd Commandant  NDRF Doimukh Camp Arun Deogam. Other volunteering gynaecologists were IOGS General Secretary Dr. Jomson Bagra from Niba Hospital, Senior gynaecologists Dr. Tomar Basar Dr. Goter Doke, Dr. Marinda Pangeng, Dr. Jyoti kamda & Dr. Toyir Ete from TRIHMS and Dr. Bengia Mepung from RKM Hospital.
Tirap        
IWD was celebrated at Nehru Stadium, Khonsa on the theme “Each for equal, Communal Harmony, No to Drugs -Yes to Life” under the aegis of WWA(Women Welfare Association) Khonsa in collaboration with the Department of Information & Public Relation, Tirap where EAC Hakresha Kri graced the occasion as Chief Guest amid a huge gathering.
COs D.K. Thungdok & Lim Modi, EE(PWD) Wangpong Rongrang, CDPO Lazu Tangha and women from various parts of the district attended the event.  EAC urged the women of the district irrespective of communities to join hands with the District Administration/Police to eradicate anti-social activities like child addiction of brown sugar and kaani, growth and peddling of kaani from the region etc. He informed that recently 349 opium poppy cultivators of 8 villages have destroyed poppy by themselves and taking the advantage of the gathering he appealed all to contribute to the cause of communal harmony and national integration. Chairperson WWA Sontung Bangsia while briefing the history and significance of the day called on all women activists to come forward for the cause of women and girl child and appealed the women of the district to join hands and eradicate drugs and other narcotic substances from the region and build Tirap  a drug-free district. She spoke at length about women empowerment and urged the gathering to avail various schemes under PM/CM Flagship programmes and later distributed prizes to the winners of group dance.
Earlier, EAC launched the Arunachal Rising Campaign with distribution of posters on CM’s Flagship programmes, skits show on communal harmony and drug abuse and its awareness which was followed by launching of Poshan Pakhwada. Pledge taking of Poshan Pakhwada was administered by DD(ICDS), Khonsa Hacham Bangsia and free napkins from the NERCORMP department were also distributed to the women free of cost.  Skit show on communal harmony/ drugs abuse and its ill effects and cultural and sports items marked the day.
At ADC Hq Deomali, State BJP Vice President Wanglong Rajkumar was present where a variety of cultural programmes and sports events marked the day.
Tawang
District Administration and IPR Department in collaboration with Women’s Welfare Association and NGO-Environmental Protection Society Tawang celebrated International Women’s Day at Zomkhang Hall, Tawang where Deputy Commissioner Tawang Sang Phuntsok was the Chief Guest.
All the participating women were received with khada and rose and women group and school children presented cultural programmes. Legal cum Probation Officer DCPU Tawang Tsering Norbu spoke on women’s rights and importance of marriage registration, while DMO Dr. Wangdi Lama informed about CMAAY and various other women-centric welfare schemes. President WWA Tawang Yangchin Lhamu spoke about the achievements of the association and its aims and objectives and remembered the veteran women of Tawang and their contributions towards development of society. DC appreciated the women of Tawang for their active participation in all activities and further appealed them to work more dedicatedly and keep on inspiring others. He felicitated Kumari Pema, the National Bravery Award winner and other two longest serving Women Bazaar Secretaries and one Gaon Buri for their dedication and sincere services.
Lower Dibang Valley
IWD 2020 was celebrated at Roing as a part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Arunachal Rising Campaigns. President Women Wing, ABK(LDV) Oseng Apum Yirang, President Enjalu Menda Women Empowerment Forum Rakhi Linggi, DD(ICDS) G. A. Perying, Anganwadi workers, members of SHGs and common people of the area participated in the event.
Yirang appreciated the women achievers of the district and advised the women not to be dependent on their spouse and family members and strive to be independent. Rakhi Linggi emphasised on building positive self-image to create a strong, confident, independent and empowered woman. DD ICDS spoke on the equal rights given to women, local champions of BBBP Moina Megu and Muri Linggi and their experiences. Protection Officer Napi Meto spoke on child welfare, Childline and Pocso Act and Advocate Kange Tayeng dwelt on Juvenile Justice Act while Dr. F. Rehman elaborated on health, hygiene and nutrition. Er. Beauty Perme highlighted on women empowerment through entrepreneurship, education and ownership.
The day also saw the recognition of all who worked hard for the promotion of BBBP campaign, best Anganwadi workers, winners of marathon race, sports competitions and cake decorating contest.
Department of Information & Public Relations under the aegis of Arunachal Rising Campaign (ARC) has been instrumental in organising the IWD 2020 celebrations all across the districts which was marked by events like radio talk shows, street theatres, marathons, tree plantations, workshops etc. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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