Legal awareness programme conducted
A REPORTER
SHILLONG, April 27: Many women are not aware of their rights as enshrined in the constitution of India and it becomes imperative therefore that they must procure legal weapons to ensure that they are protected from harassment in the society said additiol chief secretary Hector Marwein, during the One Day Legal Awareness Programme for Women at the Shillong Club in the city today. The programme was organised by the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW), Government of Meghalaya in collaboration with M/S Karshan Consulting Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the iugural function, Marwein, said that legal literacy is crucial considering the spurt in cases of violence against women in the country and the world. “Even developed countries like America witness cases of violence against women” said Marwein while also adding that the need for such legal awareness programmes is necessitated because of the violence propagated against women. He also underlined the importance of workshops, awareness programmes, pamphlets and brochures in creating awareness on women issues and violence against women. Citing the UN Charter, according to which violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, the same having led to domition and discrimition of women by men whereby women are forced into subordite position compared with men, Marwein advocated the need for social awareness creation so that people are made aware of the fact that men and women are on an equal footing.
“In fact no tiol development is possible without the participation of women” he stated.
Earlier, Theilin Phanbuh, Chairperson, (MSCW), in her introductory address stated that the primary objective of the semir is to dissemite information on the legal rights of women so that their quality of life can be improved.
The iugural function was followed by presentations and deliberations on the various laws and legislations concerning child and women rights like the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, POSCO Act, Domestic Violence Act and others.
