ITANAGAR : Women and Child Development, Social Welfare and Art & Culture Minister Dasanglu Pul on Tuesday reiterated the state government’s commitment towards women empowerment and welfare of women and girl children while addressing a two-day training and awareness programme for One Stop Centre (OSC) functionaries at Dorjee Khandu Convention Centre near IG Park here.
The programme brought together more than 100 protection officers, counsellors, ASHA workers and frontline personnel from western districts of the State for capacity building on issues concerning women and child protection.
Addressing the participants, Pul said women today are increasingly occupying leadership roles in governance and administration, reflecting the progress made in women empowerment across the State.
She noted that more than 33 per cent seats in local bodies such as Gram Panchayats, Municipalities and Zila Parishads are occupied by women, while many women have also secured seats in the general category.
“Women empowerment is about enabling women to make informed choices and lead their lives with dignity socially, educationally, economically, politically and psychologically. The Government is extending all necessary support for empowerment of women and protection of girl children,” the Minister said.
Pul urged the participants to make effective use of the training sessions and continue enhancing their knowledge so that they can better assist women and vulnerable sections of society during times of need.
The Minister also assured that the issue relating to irregular payment of salaries of protection officers and counsellors would be addressed.
APSCW Chairperson Yalam Taga Burang said the programme was aimed at strengthening the capacities of protection workers and counsellors through technical sessions conducted by experienced resource persons. She informed that a similar training programme for participants from eastern Arunachal Pradesh would be organised shortly.
The training sessions focused on issues such as sexual harassment, child marriage, rape, drug abuse, child trafficking, mental health, rights of persons with disabilities and other crimes related to women and children.
Officials informed that the trained participants would return to their respective districts to support and guide women in coordination with community organisations and local bodies.
The programme also highlighted the role of OSCs in providing integrated support services to women in distress across the State.
Among others, Cultural Affairs Secretary Mimum Tayeng, Itanagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Likha Nari, Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) Chairperson Yalam Taga Burang, APSCW Member Secretary Yukar Dawe and APSCW Vice Chairperson Tsering Dolma attended the programme.
