GUWAHATI, March 8 � The International Women�s Day was observed by government and non-government organisations in various parts of the State on the theme �Equality for Women is Progress for All�.
The Assam State Commission for Women (ASCW) observed the day centrally in Guwahati. Addressing the gathering, Chairperson of the Commission Meera Barooah dealt at length on the theme of this year�s International Women�s Day.
�Woman plays multiple roles in society and household, but her contributions and services are never acknowledged in the society. Moreover, she often becomes a victim of discrimination, injustice, suppression and exploitation. The time has now come to acknowledge her worth. Equality, respect and justice to woman are preconditions of a healthy and progressive society. Today�s women have proved their worth in almost all fronts,� Barooah said.
Pratima Devi Sharma, Chairperson of Assam State Social Welfare Board was also present on the occasion.
The Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) celebrated the day near the Dighalipukhuri here. Around 250 participants, including girl students from various Red Ribbon Clubs of educational institutions, like Regional College of Nursing and Indian Red Cross Society, took part in the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, writer Nirupama Borgohain said that if women remain backward, society can�t progress. As the participants comprised largely from the nursing fraternity, she spoke about the exemplary role played by nurses.
Women rights activist Dr Akashitora, while speaking about the rights of women, said that the Constitution of India has guaranteed equal rights for everyone and so the question of demanding equality with man does not arises. �Everything starts from the family, where male gets greater attention and so the fight for equality should begin at home and should continue wherever a woman feels deprived,� she said.
President of the Indian Network of Positive People, Jahnabi Goswami, while speaking on discrimination faced by the women in the society, said that everyday nearly 500 women in India become victims of atrocities. �Women empowerment is not possible if every girl does not go to school, and if they don�t speak up for their rights,� she said.
Tarun Saikia, first Assamese mountaineer to scale Mount Everest, and Commissioner and Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, Swapnanil Baruah also spoke on the occasion.
Many other non-governmental organisations also observed the day today.
