Shillong, Aug 10: A one-day legal awareness programme was organized by the Meghalaya State Commission for Women to make women in rural areas aware of their legal rights and to reach out and educate them on various aspects of the law.

Supported by the National Commission for Women, New Delhi, the programme was organised at Dorbar Hall Khlieh Shnong, Sohra, which saw the participation of members from different women’s organisations, Anganwadi workers, college and school students as well as people from various villages under Sohra Civil Sub Division.

The objective of the programme was to also empower and equip people in rural areas with the legal knowledge to carry out basic procedures such as where to find legal aid, how to file a complaint or FIR and how to seek the help of a Protection Officer when needed.

In her address, Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women, Theilin Phanbuh, expressed her optimism that the programme would help women in rural areas to be more aware of the law and their rights. This in turn will serve as a protection against any violation of their rights or forms of abuse and discrimination against them.

Stating that the Commission stands for the protection of the rights of all women, Phanbuh said that these days, more and more women were subjected to exploitation, in particular, the single mothers, who face a lot of hardship with the extra burden of upbringing and taking care of their children.

To tackle this issue, the Commission had recently completed a study on single mothers and they are looking for various methods and strategies on how to assist them further.

She informed that earlier, the Commission had conducted Training for Women on Entrepreneurship, in particular on the setting up of Home-stays where a number of Women from Sohra had also participated.

She said that such trainings would continue so as to promote more women in taking up entrepreneurial projects which would empower and uplift the economic condition of women residing in the region. She also encouraged the women to approach the Commission for any assistance when they faced with any challenges or discrimination, be it in the form of violation of basic rights or any form of exploitation.

Later, the technical session saw presentations and speeches from different experts working in the field of women and gender issues.

Advocate, Rebina Subba, spoke on the topic of Women and the Indian Constitution focusing on Women and Family Law. Coordinator, MSCW, Smt. Annie Sohtun highlighted the participants on the PWDV Act 2005.

The session on Child Marriage Act was taken by Member Secretary MSCW, I. Tariang. Other topics of the technical session included POCSO Act, Criminal Law and Women and Legal Procedural Guidelines.