A book, “Gender, Sexuality, and Society in Northeast India”, was released today by Chief Secretary MS Rao.
The book, published by Martin Luther Christian University Press, is a 560-page compilation of 23 chapters written by researchers and sociologists. Most of the studies are from universities and community organizations in the region, but there are chapters from scholars at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, the University of Melbourne, North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati, Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong, and the International Centre for Research on Women, New Delhi.
The book is edited by R Jennifer War, Head of the Centre for GENDER, MLCU, and Glenn C Kharkongor, professor of public health in the School of Social Work of MLCU.
The book examines gender issues of tribal communities and seeks to engage in a dialogue with youth in discussing contemporary social issues of the region. The historical and social context covers the local factors of culture, colonialism and Christianity, and the worldwide concerns of patriarchy, the LGBTQIA+ community, and the silent pandemic of violence against women during Covid-19.
In his remarks Rao stated that crimes against women and domestic violence are rightly included in gender discrimination, but another factor that has been less emphasised is male mental health, which is neglected in our country. He added that gender discrimination in traditional institutions of governance where women are not allowed to have decision-making positions has deprived communities of social advancement. He also talked about the growth of self-help groups in the state, making Meghalaya one of the success stories in the country in this sector.
The guest of honour, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo, said that although great strides have been made for women empowerment in various fields across the world, a hard look at the facts and figures would remove any romanticised notions of how far women have come. She added that in our state we are all too aware of the realities of women’s health, nutrition, reproductive rights, and the many challenges faced by mothers, especially single mothers, in grappling with poverty and lack of opportunity.
Laloo also stressed that so long as sex education is not a vital part of our social discourse and education system, we will still have many teenage girls carrying the burden of motherhood for which they are not physically, mentally or emotionally prepared for. She concluded that we need to empower them, and that given the opportunity, women can contribute to all spheres of human activity, including leadership at all levels.
