Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 17 2010:
The first women's mela on the theme 'Creating a space for women through self-sustainable' organised by Women Committee United NGO Mission Manipur has begun from today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen.
Inaugural programme of the mela, which will continue till March 21, was held with Editor of Aja daily Valley Rose as the chief guest.
In addition to agricultural/horticultural and handloom/handicraft products, the mela has a total of 31 stalls wherein traditional clothes, food items including rice, curry, snacks etc, as well as locally prepared pickles and soap/detergent products are put on display.
Stressing that there is still need for creating awareness among the manipuri women folk on their rights, Valley rose said such naivety is an important impediment in depriving the women from attaining economic emancipation.
apart from being stuck in daily domestic chores that often restricts movement of women beyond the four walls of the house thereby denying them opportunity to explore for economic sustenance, the chief guest expressed strong resentment that inspite of the domestic burden shouldered by the womenfolk there are instances in which the women remain silent even though they are subjected to violence by the husband or in-laws.
Calling upon the women to strive for understanding and exercising their position and rights in both the family and society, Valley rose cautioned that failure to grasp the constitutional rights would only encourage rogue husbands to commit more atrocities even to the extent of dumping them.
She also rued that inspite of the International women's day observed every year throughout the world many Manipuri women attend such observance programme as mere spectator rather than note the finer points of the global movement.
Moreover, even after 20 years of struggle that led to the recent consent of the Rajya Sabha to the Women's bill, there are still many women who do not understand even their basic rights enshrined in the Constitution of India, Valley rose explained while observing that condition of working women are comparatively better than those women who have to toil even harder for economic sustenance.
With reference to the mela and exhibition of various indigenous products/food items, she emphasised that products imported from other States or beyond should be avoided to the maximum so as to promote local produces and artisans.
UNMM chairman Rev Dr Tamthing Ruivanao, secretary U Nobokishore, Women committee convenor Jayanti Keishing and former Committee convenor RK Mema were among some of the prominent individuals who attended the inaugural programme.