Shillong, Jan 16: The wait is over for the women organisations of the state who sought appointment of new chairperson for the Meghalaya State Women’s Commission (MSWC) from government when on Wednesday the government appointed Padma Shree awardee Theilin Phanbuh as the as the new chairperson in the place of Roshan Warjri who left the post to contest the ensuing assembly polls from North Shillong constituency on Congress ticket.
It may be mentioned here that the appointment of someone who is in the women’s movement of the state and who has worked for several years on issues of rights of women and girls as a chairperson in would be for the first time since the Commission was set up in the state.
The representatives from women’s organizations who met the newly appointed chairperson of the Meghalaya State Women’s Commission (MSWC), Theilin Phanbuh on Wednesday urged her to find out a mechanism to address the alarming rise of crime against women in the state.
They handed over a welcome letter to Phanbuh while reminding her of the immense responsibility that the new role entails and the expectations of the women’s movement to see the commission function in an independent and fearless manner.
The letter that was handed by the Women’s organisations highlighted some key issues which needed o be addressed which includes crimes and violence women and girls by putting in place mechanisms like a specialized Directorate of Prosecution for crimes against women and girls, setting up of Fast Track Courts, having in place dedicated Investigation Officers for crimes against women and children particularly sexual offences including rape, taking up with the government for re-notifying the jurisdiction of courts in cases of crimes against women and children whereby such cases should not be sent to District Council courts but directly to the Sessions Court to ensure speedy trial and justice.
While extending their support to Phanbuh as she takes on the role of chairperson of the MSWC, the women’s organizations stated that their expectations are high and hoped that the new MSWC chief will use this opportunity to further push for the changes that they had been fighting together over the years and that have been jointly submitted in the form of several memoranda and petitions to the State Government.
The women organizations also put forth the need to institutionalize the process of a Search and Selection Committee at Block and District levels to further strengthen and ensure independence of the Women’s Commission and allow for greater participation of women from across the state.
They also stressed on the need to immediately initiate participatory women’s audit of various government schemes meant for women and girls like ICDS, NREGS, Old Age Pension, NRHM and Maternity Benefit Schemes, PDS etc.
“The powers vested in you (Phanbuh) can be effectively used to challenge all the obstacles that prevent any meaningful intervention to ensure gender equality and justice in our state. We trust that you will be proactive and independent in exercising these powers and in addressing the above and many other issues”, the letter added.
Addressing media soon after taking charge, Phanbuh said that her prime issues will be strengthen the commission and having the legal aid cell. She also raised the issue related to the security of women in the state. Though matrilineal state, Meghalaya yet has witness increasing number rape cases.
Terming this present task as a challenge for her, Phanbuh said that it is not an easy task to handle the commission without the support of many and “I will try my best to perform my duty and give justice to the women in dire need of help”, she added.(SP News)
