International Women’s Day: A Celebration to empower Women and Society

Guwahati: Alike other parts of the world, International Women’s Day were widely celebrated today in various Districts of Assam.

As a matter of fact, the International Women's Day - marked annually on March 8 - is a global event to celebrate and support women's rights while calling for gender equality.

In reality, the day is largely ignored in many countries or has lost its significance in others. However, the first observance of women's day on a national level took place in New York on February 28, 1909. It was marked on March 8 in several European countries in 1914 in support of women's suffrage.

In Assam, a place namely Kathiyatoli area under Nagaon District, a huge public rally conducted under the aegis of Mahila Samiti among others on the occasion of International Women’s Day. As per a report, these women organizations celebrated the day by coming out to the streets in numbers and held an awareness rally to build peace and harmony in block sectors of the Nagaon district. Also, a big open public session was organized after the rally.

Similarly, in Guwahati’s Cotton University, a programme on “Women in Research: Rights and Prospects” was conducted by the Cotton University Women’s Forum (CUWF) at the Sudmersen Hall here at Guwahati today.

Speaking to The Sentinel Digital in this regard, Secretary for Cotton University Women’s Forum, Dr Sangeeta Barthakur said that it was an effort by the CUWF to promote the culture of research and inclination for doing projects among the faculties of the Cotton University.

“This initiative basically intends to aware people about doing more projects and research work,” said Dr Borthakur.

She also informed that in today’s programme, Professor Manorama Sharma (retired) professor History Department; North Eastern Hills University (NEHU) while delivering her speech at Sudmersen Hall had stressed on introducing Women Study Centres in the all Universities. Dr Sharma who is also related to Women studies and many other Women Cells had also highlighted the fact that abolishing the Patriarchal ideology and mindset from the society in order to develop Women Empowerment in the nation.

Dr Sharma further highlighted the fact that there are many men who are working for Feminist Movement in the nation to build a mindset amongst the people of the nation about the rights of the women in the nation. Therefore, to build a healthy society both the men and women have to work on it equally.

It may also be mentioned that women journalist in the region had also worked for the better upliftment of the society through their news and field reporting. In Guwahati Press Club, a facilitation programme was conducted to motivate the young and aspiring women journalists in the region.

In Nagaland, the International Women’s Day was celebrated at the Chief Secretary’s Conference Hall, New Secretariat Complex. The programme will be organized by the State Resource Centre for Women, Nagaland State Social welfare Board, Department of Social Welfare.

On the occasion, Nagaland Chief Secretary Tali Temjen Toy addressed the programme as the chief patron. The department will be officially launching Sakhi – a one stop centre in 9 districts and the Mahila Shakti Kendra (District Level Centres for Women) in 8 districts under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the official theme song for women Rise, Naga Woman, stated a DIPR release.