Imphal, March 21 2009: It is high time that the women of Manipur come out and face the challenges of life and not hide within the four walls, said Dr.Ch.

Jamini, chairperson of the Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW).

Addressing the inaugural function of a two-day state level seminar on 'Women's empowerment and development with special reference to Manipur', organized by Manipur College, Imphal here on Friday, Dr Jamini called upon the women of the state to come forward and face their challenges bravely.

The Indian Council of Social Science Research, North East Regional Centre, Shillong and directorate of university and higher education, government of Manipur are sponsoring the seminar.

Calling upon the womenfolk of the state to come forward in life, Dr.Jamini, chairperson of the MSCW stated that the women of Manipur were almost equal with the menfolk of the state in terms of population and that the women of the state performed as many duties as men besides the household works.

The women of the state are learned scholars making their empowerment a must, asserted Dr.Jamini and pointed out the need for education among womenfolk stating that it was one way in which the women could be aware of their rights.

As a part of the seminar, a souvenir was also released on 'Women's empowerment and development with special reference to Manipur' jointly by Dr Jamini and justice WA Shishak, retired Chief Justice of the High Court and former chairperson of the Manipur Human Rights Commission.

Also addressing the seminar, WA Shishak stated that the women of Manipur were sufficiently empowered and cited the example of the Meira Paibis (women activist) stating they were strong enough.

He however asserted that the Meira Paibis were not strong enough to deal with harassment.

Maintaining that the women of Manipur were well educated and professionally placed in various fields, the retired chief justice of the High Court further cited the examples of the high numbers of nurses, women teachers and lawyers.

Justice WA Shishak, however, asserted that the spirit of participation from the womenfolk of the state was a must in their own empowerment.

S Benjamin Nattar of Manipur College, Imphal also addressing the seminar on women empowerment and development stated that the womenfolk of Manipur, both of the hills and the valleys, enjoy a comparatively better position than their counterparts in the rest of the country.

Asserting that one can notice a number of indicators of women empowerment in the state of Manipur, S Benjamin Nattar cited the likes of internationally renowned women like N Kunjarani, MC Mary Kom and many others of the state as examples.

He also pointed out that the strength of Manipuri women became visible during the Nishaband (ban on use of intoxicants) in the 1960's that further gave rise to the institutionalization of Meira Paibis in the state.

As a part of the seminar, several distinguished delegates, academicians and research scholars also presented papers relating to women empowerment and development especially in reference to the state of Manipur.

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