IMPHAL, March 8: The International Women’s Day was widely observed in the State today.
The Manipur Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee observed the day by organizing a one day brain storming session on the theme “women and law” at the Congress Bhawan.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and All India Mahila Congress Committee in-charge Manipur general secretary Jarjum Ete attended the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister spoke on the history of the day and said International Women’s Day is celebrated throughout the world on March 8 every year by paying tribute to the indomitable spirit of women from across the globe.
The seed of the day was sown in the early 1900s when oppression and inequality spurred women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change, he said.
Women continued to celebrate the National Woman’s Day on the last Sunday of February until 1913, he said.
He said during the international conference of working women held in Copenhagen in 1910, leader of the women’s office of the Social Democratic Party in Germany, Clara Zetkin floated the idea of an International Women’s Day.
Zetkins’ suggestion was received with unanimous approval and thus the international women’s day was born, he observed.
Ibobi said that the International Women’s Day was observed for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19.
More than one million women and men attended the rallies campaigning for women’s right to work, vote be trained to hold public office and end discrimination, he added.
In 1913 following discussions, the day was transferred to March 8 and this day has remained the global date for International Women’s day ever since, he added.
In the same year, it further spread to other European countries, the CM said.
He added, Russian women began a strike for “bread and peace” in response to the death over two million Russian soldiers in war. Opposed by political leaders the women continued to strike until four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional government granted women the right vote. This historic day was March 8 as per the Gregorian calendar, he said.
He further said that the International Women’s day grew from strength to strength annually. In 1975 was designated as International Women’s year by the United Nations. Women’s organizations and government around the world now observe International womens’ day annually on March 8 by holding large-scale events that honour women’s advancement.
International womens’ day is now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia and many other countries.
The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, etc with flower and gifts. In some countries it has the same status as of mothers’ day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
Annually on March 8, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements.
The chief minister also highlighted the laws related to women and women-related legislations.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said the Congress party has been working for the welfare and empowerment of women.
He said the party supports the 33 percent reservation bill in the elected decision making bodies and claimed the BJP of creating hurdles by opposing the bill.
Gaikhangam further urged the women to come out and show their talents to the world.
The programme was also attended by Congress MLAs, ministers, members and others.
The day was also observed at Nongpok Ningthou Panthoibi Community Hall organized jointly by the Imphal East District Legal Service Authority and Youth Development Centre Club Keirao Bitra under the sponsor from the Manipur State legal Service Authority.
Speaking on the occasion, District and Session Judge Imphal East S Imocha said human beings are bounded by rule of law and regulations, and we should respect and live under the rule of the law.
We should at the same time know our rights as provided by the Constitution of India, he added.
The Judge continued every scheme and project implemented by the government is for the people of the country and we should be aware of the norms and provisions of the schemes to check if they are reaching the intended beneficiaries or not.
He further expressed that there is a need to spread awareness on these schemes.
The National Rural Health Mission also observed the day at the Classic Hotel today.
Speaking at the observation, NRHM State Mission Director Dr Okram Ibomcha said to uplift the status of woman, we need the women to come out of superstition and move towards science.
In our society, women face many food restrictions during pregnancy and post delivery due to superstitions, he said.
However, on the contrary, pregnant and new mothers should be allowed to eat everything which will be healthier for herself and her baby, he added.
No diet restriction should be imposed on new mothers, as they need strength for themselves and the baby, he added.
Our society doesn’t allow a new mother to eat egg yolks citing that it will develop jaundice in the baby, he said clarifying that it is just ignorance as eating egg yolk will not develop jaundice in the babies.
No harm will come to both the mother and the baby on the mother eating egg yolk, but it will only improve their health, he said.
He continued in most some States of the country, the status of woman and the man woman ratio is very low.
Kerala has the highest number of woman ratio in the State while it is also high in Manipur, he added.
He highlighted that the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 was enacted by the Parliament to stop female feticides and check the declining sex ratio in India. Under the Act, prenatal sex determination has been banned in the country, he added.
The NRHM, he said has also been putting its efforts to support women.
Schemes like the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) have also been implemented in Manipur, he added.
Under these schemes any pregnant women who requires ambulance can dial 102 to avail it and reach the hospital, he said and added fares of taxis or other passenger vehicles used to bring the pregnant woman to the hospital will also be refunded.
Dr Okram Ibomcha also appealed to all for cooperation in improving the status of the women by 2050 to bring a more developed State.