ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION (2008-2009)
In keeping with its objectives, the Meghalaya State Women’s Commission
initiated various steps to protect the rights and interest of women and worked
for their empowerment during the year under report. The Meghalaya State
Commission for Women inquired into crimes against women like incidents of
unnatural death and rape that were either reported to it or published in the
newspapers. The Commission carried out its own investigations into these cases
and pursued these matters to expedite police actions.
(1) The Chairperson and
members soon after assuming office visited the Girl’s Home, Shelter Home for
Women at New Colony, Shillong. They also visited the Meghalaya Institute of
Mental Health and Neurological Science (MIMHANS), Mawlai, Shillong. A visit was
also made to the Women’s Jail, Shillong and the problems of these institutions
were later taken up with the department concerned.
(2) The Chairperson and
members also met the Director General of Police and discussed with him regarding
the strengthening of the Forensic Laboratory of the State.
(3) During this period the
Chairperson and members met the Chief Secretary for setting up of a special cell
for investigation of the coal mines of Jaintia Hills. They also discussed with
the Chief Secretary about the need for setting up of Fast Track Courts.
(4) The Police Stations in
the city namely Lumdiengjri, Sardar Police Station, Laitumkhrah Police Station
were visited. Tura Jail, Williamnagar Jail, Tura main Police Station and
Rongjeng Police Stations were visited by the Chairperson and members of the
Meghalaya State Commission for Women.
(5) The Chairperson and members also visited the
Ganesh
Das
Hospital
,
Civil
Hospital
situated in the city of
Shillong
and their problems were taken up with the Health Department.
(6) On the 19th of October, 2008, the
Chairperson and members met Smti. Girija Vyas, Chairperson, National Commission
for Women. They also met Smti. Wansuk Syiem, Member, National Commission for
Women in the office chamber of the Chairperson of the National Commission for
Women. The members discussed on the work to be done on a priority basis by them
and the programmes to be undertaken for the welfare of the women in general.
(7) Two Advocacy meetings were held in the
office of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women, Lower Lachumiere, Shillong
– One on Crime against Women and quite a number of NGOs, Police personnels and
government officials attended the meeting. Another Advocacy meeting was held on
crime against minors in the office of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women
attended by 23 numbers of NGOs, Officers of Social Welfare Department and the
Principal Magistrate and other Officers of the Juvenile Justice Board,
Counsellors, Medical officers, Police, Psychologists, Pressmen.
(8) Legal Awareness Programmes were held in
all the seven districts of Meghalaya to mark the “International Women’s
Day”, during the month of March, 2009. The syllabus given in the booklet
“Meera Didi Se Poocho” published by the National Commission for Women were
covered in the Legal Awareness Programmes.
With the
objective to “Reaching out to the masses” the Meghalaya State Commission for
Women is bringing out the Women’s Voice on a half yearly basis the 4th Volume,
4th issue in three languages in English, Khasi and Garo has been sent to the
Press during this period.
For generating
awareness among women regarding their rights and with the aim of preventing
different forms of atrocities perpetrated on them, programme of awareness
generation is given top most priority by the Commission. The Commission’s
endeavour since 2004 to reach the unreached for generating awareness among rural
women about their rights, to rural areas of the state 5 numbers of awareness
programmes were attended during this period organized by NGOs and the State
Commisssion for Women, who went as resource persons. Medical Officers, Police
Officers, CDPOs of the Department of Social Welfare, NGOs, Social Activists and
Women Organisations have been involved in these programmes.
