The Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW), in collaboration with Akashvani Imphal, hosted a one-day awareness programme focused on “Gender Sensitization” at the Akashvani Imphal auditorium. W. Phajatombi Devi, the Member Secretary of MSCW, highlighted that despite claims of gender equality, true equality remains elusive, pointing out the persistent disparities between men and women across various sectors. She stressed the importance of men acknowledging women’s roles and contributions and committing to actions that promote real equality, appealing to Akashvani Imphal staff to enhance public awareness regarding gender issues.
Konjengbam Sonikumar Singh, Assistant Director (News) of the Regional News Unit at Akashvani Imphal, echoed the sentiment that gender equality should be fostered at home, emphasizing the importance of treating female family members with respect and extending those values to broader societal contexts. He noted the relatively better conditions for the transgender community in Manipur regarding treatment and rights recognition compared to other states, and praised MSCW for their ongoing awareness initiatives.
Nongthombam Roma, Programme Executive and Chairperson of the Women Cell-Internal Committee at Akashvani Imphal, reinforced the message that gender equality starts in the home environment. She expressed concern over the lack of recognition for women in leadership roles and advocated for women to be aware of their entitlements and exercise their rights. Additionally, she highlighted the essential role men play in supporting and uplifting women, asserting that achieving gender equality requires collective efforts.
Thumlip Tiningpham Monsang, the Chairperson of MSCW, emphasized the necessity of grassroots empowerment, encouraging individuals to empower themselves to uplift others. She addressed various challenges facing women and reaffirmed MSCW’s dedication to improving women’s welfare and empowerment throughout the state, calling for collective action to support women’s rights for a more empowered society.
The event also featured a technical session where Lourembam Dayabati Devi, a former MSCW member, discussed “Gender Equity Versus Gender Equality, Gender Role at Home & Workplaces,” and B. Supriya Devi, an Advocate, provided insights on “Men as Allies Engaging Men in Women’s Empowerment.” The programme saw participation from various MSCW members and the staff of Akashvani Imphal.