Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 25:
Governor Dr SS Sidhu formally launched the Manipur State Commission for Women during an impression function held at Raj Bhawan here today.
Even though, the Commission was constituted some time back, the formal launching of the same could not be organised due to pre-occupation of the State administration with the State Assembly elections.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, the Council of Ministers, Chairperson of the Commission Dr Ch Jamini Devi, member Lhingzalien Gangte, Speaker of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly Dr Sapam Budhichandra and other Government officials were present at the occasion.
Addressing the occasion, Dr Sidhu observed that setting up of a State Commission for Women and its functioning in a strife-torn State like Manipur may be regarded as a milestone towards the empowerment of women in the State.
The Commission will oversee all matters relating to safeguarding women as envisaged in the Constitution of India and recommend steps to be taken up by the State Government for effective implementation to safeguard, undertake promotional and educational research as well as suggest ways and means to ensure adequate representation of women in all spheres, Dr Sidhu explained.
The Commission shall also identify factors responsible for impeding their advancement, such as, lack of access to housing and basic services, inadequate support and technologies to redress drudgery and occupational hazards and for increasing their productivity and take up cases of violation of the provisions of the Constitution and other laws relating to women in the State with the appropriate authorities, he added.
Speaking on the role of the women in Manipuri society, Dr Sidhu pointed out that though the women of Manipur have been in the forefront in combating the social ills confronting the society, their status in the homes is not commensurate with these social contributions.
Cases arise from time to time when wives are battered in their families and it is hoped that the setting up of the Commission would help in mitigating the hardships and difficulties faced by them in the society, he remarked.
He further observed that many a commissions may be set up, many a programmes may be taken up, many a schemes may be introduced by the Government for the welfare, but the implementing agencies and those involved in the execution of the programmes and the schemes have to ensure that the benefits of the programmes reach the target group.
While observing that the Manipur State Commission for Women is in fact for the welfare of the women in the State, the Governor called upon the agencies concerned and those directly involved in the implementation of Commission to put their best foot forward so that the objective of setting up the Commission is achieved and the benefits accrue to the womenfolk of Manipur.
Only then, the constitution of the Commission would be meaningful, he said.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh noted that the contribution of the Manipuri women in the society is immense.
So setting up the Commission which would look into the issues being faced by the women in the society is laudable.
Expressing hope that the Commission would live up to the expectation of the people, specially womenfolk, the Chief Minister also assured that the Government would consider the recommendations that the Commission might be forwarded to it for the welfare of women from time to time.