YWCA Shillong celebrated International Women’s Day and World Day of Prayer yesterday.
The latter is celebrated on the first Friday in March but was joined with Women’s Day this year.
The programme was chaired by YWCA member Diana E Kharshiing and was followed by a welcome speech by the president, Mebaailang Kharkongor.
The special speaker on the day was Additional Superintendent of Police (Law and Order), Shabbir Dkhar, who spoke on the theme ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’.
Dkhar said that there is a gender gap when it comes to digital equality, with 61 percent of men owning mobile phones but only 31 percent of women doing so. Women have clear disadvantages in rural areas, while digital technologies remain limited to men when compared to win in urban areas, he added.
Dkhar also focused on cyber crime, which is wreaking havoc in the modern world. These crimes include harassment and crimes through social media websites and apps.
The senior police officer said that it is important to secure electronic devices that are connected to the internet, to “avoid social engineering”, maintain privacy, cyber hygiene and use two-factor verification and other safety measures when it comes to sensitive information, such as net banking, UPI payments.
He reminded the audience that, in case of any criminal activity, they may report it to the cyber crime cell on 1930 and there are national portals where complaints can be filed, while social media websites also have their own reporting structures.
The session was concluded with a short discussion with the YWCA members and hostellers.
The World Day of Prayer started with a prayer by YWCA member Diana E Kharshiing. The Bible reading was done by hoteller Karina Rajchowa and was followed by a prayer by hosteller Banlong Konyak. Guest speaker Dapdaaiei Warjri, of the River of Life Church, spoke on the theme ‘I have heard about your faith’, a line written by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians.
She said that faith is a part of Christian life and should not stay stagnant. The speaker also quoted from Mathew 17:14 -20 and Matthew 13:31 about how faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. She also encouraged exercising our faith through the reading of the Bible and applying it in our daily life. YWCA adviser Niloufer Laloo gave the vote of thanks and Mebada W Lyngdoh Nongbri said a closing prayer and pronounced the benediction.
