IWD observed

SHILLONG, MAR 8:South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, C.V. Darlong Diengdoh has called for zero-tolerance to crimes against women especially girl child and urged upon the society to extend their full cooperation to the police so that perpetrators of such crimes get their due punishment.

Participating in the celebration of International Women’s Day at Zikzak on Thursday, the Deputy Commissioner said that families play a crucial role in society and should educate the boys regarding such crimes against women and girls and to treat women with equal respect and dignity starting from their homes. The programme to mark the celebration of Women’s Day was organized by the District Social Welfare Office, South West Garo Hills and was participated by hundreds of women from Zikzak, Mahendraganj and nearby villages, besides the district officials, nokmas, NGOs and SHG members.

The Deputy Commissioner also stressed on education of girl children and called upon all the stakeholders in the society to ensure that women and girls are given the best of opportunity. He was of the view that Women’s Day was truly a celebration of humanity as it is women who give life to humankind. All womenfolk should take advantage of such celebrations to come together and voice their problems and grievances with regard to developmental programmes, he said. He also cited examples of recognition of women’s role by the government in implementation of certain programmes like the National Food Security Act. Expressing pride over the status of women in the State of Meghalaya, he said the people of the state should lead the way in true empowerment of women and project them as role models in the society.

BDO, Zikzak C&RD Block, S.R. Marak and District Social Welfare Officer, Ampati, Linda J. Sangma were among others who also spoke on the occasion. A special song celebrating the role of women was also presented by the women’s group from Zikzak.

Later a brief awareness programme for women was also conducted based on the day’s theme “Press for Progress” in which, the DCPO of District Child Protection Unit, Ampati, Tanveera M. Sangma gave a deliberation on Prostitution & Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act and LCPO, Tanya Derimchi Marak discussed about various women’s rights. This was followed by a session of interaction with the participants whose queries responded to by the officials concerned.

By Our Reporter