APSCW Chairperson Radhilu Chai Techi Call For gender equality

A CORRESPONDENT

KALAKTANG: The Chairperson of the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW), Radhilu Chai Techi has called for gender equality on Monday.

Chai was addressing a gathering in a daylong ‘Legal Awareness Programme’ organized by the APSCW, Itanagar in collaboration with the Amate Association, Kalaktang and the National Commission for Women, New Delhi at Kalaktang Sub-division in West Kameng district.

She observed that it was high time for people to change their mindsets and adopt a more educated, logical, and reformist approach.

Speaking on laws related to women, Chai — not fully satisfied with the appointment of CDPOs as Protection Officers (PO) — urged the State government for the appointment of Independent Protection Officers (IPOs) which she said “would facilitate fulltime involvement for the cause”.

Further, she advocated for Short Stay Homes (SSH) for the distressed and also for 33 per cent reservations in government jobs for the women. These steps which would go a long way in making them financially independent and to be an equal partner with males in the nation building process.

The members of the Commission later highlighted the powers and functions of APSCW and shared their experiences on working with NGOs and SHGs. Meanwhile, Advocate Karmu Chotton spoke on ‘Compulsory Registration of Marriage, Free Legal Aid and Maternity Benefit Act-1961.

Among other issues deliberated upon during ther session were ‘Skill development (Industrial and Vocational Training)’, various schemes of the State and Central governments for women and the ‘POCSO Act-2012’.

Earlier, ADC Kalaktang Techu Aran in his address observed that unlike mainland India, discrimination in tribal society is minimal. He, however, hoped that the efforts of the State Commission for Women would succeed in bringing the womenfolk at par with the male counterparts.

Later, an interactive session with the Amate Association members, NGOs, SHGs and girl students of Government Higher Secondary School, Kalaktang was also conducted. It was moderated by the Chairperson APSCW.

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