The International Day of Rural Women 2024 was celebrated at St. Edmund’s College, Shillong yesterday. It was organised by District Project Management Unit (MBMA/MBDA), East Khasi Hills in collaboration with Educational Centre for Social Science Research Counselling and Training (ECSSRCT), Jowai and NSS unit of St. Edmund’s College.
The day began with the keynote address by Aity Mary Khongji, District Project Manager, DPMU, East Khasi Hills who said that the International Day of Rural Women was established by UN General Assembly on October 15 every year to recognise the role and contributions of the rural women to agricultural and rural development in eradicating rural poverty.
She also added that the day was also observed as a mark to raise awareness of the needs and rights of rural women and their role in sustainable development, peace building and safeguarding traditional knowledge.
Khongji added that day was observed in Shillong particularly to honour women of different IVCS (Integrated Village Cooperative Society) who have contributed towards the successful implementation of MeghLAMP project (Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Market Project).
She also noted that under the MegLAMP projects, women have been introduced and trained to new technologies, skills and market linkage intervention for sustainable development and offsetting the effects of climate change.
Others who spoke included Loretta D. Nongbri, Additional Director, MATI on the topic ‘Challenges of women in digital world’, Dr. Ailin Nongbri, former Associate Professor, Department of Khasi, Shillong College on the topic “Sensitisation to raise awareness need and rights of rural women towards sustainable development’, Therisa Syngkon, member of ECSSRCT on the topic “Mental health of women”, Prof. Randolph Langstieh, Department of Social Works on the topic ‘Safeguarding traditional knowledge’, Suklin Dohling, a successful women entrepreneur, Doly Mary L. Lyngkhoi, NSS Volunteer on the NSS, Sasana Kharkongor, Deputy Manager, DPMU.
The programme was presided over by Albinus Nongkynrih, Assistant Manager, DPMU.
The day was highlighted with the felicitation to Suklin Dohling with a certificate as the most successful women entrepreneur related to production of finger millets. Others present included women of IVCS from 11 C&RD Blocks, teachers, NSS students and staff of DPMU.
