On 9th January, 2014, at Imphal,
Manipur, NCW had a session with State Commissions for Women of the region to
develop strong network with and to get feedback on the work being done by the
State Commissions on following points:-
I. how safeguards are provided for women under various laws, are
working in the State
II. recommendations for effective implementation of safeguards for improving
the condition of women in the state
III. advice on improvements in the planning process for socio-economic
development of women
IV. Methodology and plans/proposals for State Women Commission to undertake
promotional and educational research, in-house of in collaboration with
Universities or local reputed NGO.
Initiating discussion Dr. Ibetombi Devi, Chairperson, Manipur
State Commission for Women welcomed Chairperson and Members of NCW and
Chairpersons of State Commissions and expressed her gratitude to Smt. Mamta
Sharma for the initiative to set up a North East Cell in National Commission
for Women.
Smt. Mamta Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women,
in her address expressed her happiness at the opportunity to meet in Imphal.
Smt. Sharma informed the gathering about various programmes being conducted by
NCW and booklets published to prevent gender based violence and to provide
opportunity to work on genders issues. She stated that problems of women can
vary from state to state and region to region but deprivation of women's right
is ubiquitous. She specifically mentioned about valor, political activism of
women in North East in all field of life. She informed that a need is also felt
for regular interactions to reach women up to the village level to empower and
sensitize them about their rights. The NCW is seized of their specific problems
and challenges in their own states, as well as in pan India. Therefore NE Cell,
has been created to enhance the focus on the women of NE and their special
problems/challenges, and also to intervene with State and Central governments
whenever required. She also emphasized the need for regular interaction with
SCW's who are an important arm for reaching out to the grass root level.
During the interaction meeting Chairpersons of the States made
presentations on the aforementioned points.
State Commissions for Women expressed their inability to do
productive and meaningful work as per the mandate because of following common
problems faced by them:
i) SCWs have very small budgets ranging from Rs 25 lakhs to Rs
50 Lakhs and is not sufficient to cater to the needs of women in the area
ii) Funds are grossly insufficient for holding Legal Awareness Programmes
because NE region is difficult area due to its terrain, lack of infrastructure
etc.
iii) Status of CP's and members is not defined except for Tripura where CP is
of Cabinet Minister rank and has the full status of Minister
iv) Salaries or honorarium of Chairperson and Members is extremely low and
ranges from Rs 2,000 to Rs 15,000 per month
v) Police sensitization is needed to ensure pro-active and co-operation from
their personnel
vi) More Fast track courts are needed to provide much needed justice to women
vii) Compulsory self defence training for girls to be introduced so that girls
protect themselves in danger
viii) More Shelter homes for girls are required
ix) Gender budgeting should be introduced in states budget too to ensure
dedicated flow of fund for women related issues and programmes
After deliberations, following recommendations emerged:
i) NCW may take up the issue of providing uniform status to SCW
with the State Governments.
ii) To construct /set up more shelter homes for women. State Commissions for
Women may submit proposals to NCW who will take up help from Public Sector
Undertakings to access funds available for CSR activities.
iii) State Commissions for Women may submit media plans to NCW for
collaboration to print/publish and prepare material for generating awareness
among people and specially women.
iv) State Commissions for Women in association with Police /Judicial Academies
are to submit proposals to NCW for organizing capacity building/training
programmes of implementing officers
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