Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Oct 10: The Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) celebrated its 47th foundation day today with an outreach programme at Bini Yanga Government Women’s College (BYGWC), Poma, the State’s only women’s college.
Themed ‘Youth – Our Present and Future: The Inclusive Way Forward’, the programme featured essay and debate competitions on issues related to women’s rights which saw enthusiastic participation from the students.
In her address, APWWS president Jarjum Gamlin Ete spoke about the organisation’s journey and the circumstances that led to the formation of its various branches. She urged students to acquire practical skills alongside their academic pursuits.
Emphasising the promotion of traditional weaving, Ete urged the College Principal to coordinate with the Industries and Textile & Handicrafts Departments to arrange for a trainer to visit the college at least once a week.
“If it happens, you will have many weavers even in three years. Make for yourself, your friends, or even make them for selling. It is something there is money in it,” she encouraged.
Addressing the perception that APWWS primarily deals with issues of only polygamy, Ete termed it a misconception. She said the organisation had played a significant role in securing reservation for women in the state’s Panchayati Raj institutions.
Referring to criticism that women panchayat leaders were inefficient and allowed their husbands to perform their duties, Ete said APWWS was engaging with various political parties to advocate for the selection of capable women candidates genuinely committed to public service.
She urged students to remain aware of such issues and learn to distinguish between right and wrong while choosing their leaders.
Speaking about the patriarchal mindset prevalent among many men in the State, the APWWS chief observed that more young women were reluctant to marry because they sought equal partners.
“We have encouraged our girls to get educated, given them opportunities to move ahead in life, but our sons have not been sensitised enough. They are still very patriarchal,” she noted.
She also highlighted instances of educated women who continued to remain silent about their own rights.
APWWS life member and Apatani Women Association (AWAZ) president Dr Subu Taso Kampu shared her life journey, from resisting a forced child marriage to becoming the first woman doctor from the Apatani community.
She also recalled that during her association with the Apatani Youth Association, a historic decision was taken to abolish the practice of facial tattooing and the wearing of wooden nose plugs by Apatani women.
Urging the students to look beyond economic empowerment, Dr Kampu said, “Money is important only when you are standing on your own. One should be able to utilise one’s brain.” She stressed the importance of understanding and exercising their rights.
Emphasising the need to prioritise health, Dr Kampu also drew attention to mental well-being on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10.
“No health without mental health,” she told the students.
Former Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) chairperson and APWWS life member Radhilu Chai Techi urged the female faculty members and students to get enrolled as members of APWWS, saying early association with the organisation would help them better understand issues concerning women.
Speaking on the debate topic, “Economic Independence Is Not the Only Tool for Women’s Empowerment”, Techi said financial independence was important but should not be regarded as the sole measure of empowerment.
“Economic empowerment is good, but we should not think in such a way that money is the ultimate thing. Money is just one of the sources to be empowered,” she said.
Recalling her tenure as APSCW chairperson, Techi said the Commission, with the support of APWWS, had drafted the Arunachal Pradesh Marriage and Inheritance Property Bill. However, she said the proposal did not receive adequate support from various groups.
She urged students to understand the significance of the issue, adding that strengthening the property rights of women belonging to Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) communities could help address certain challenges associated with polygamy.
Techi also called upon APWWS members to rethink strategies for empowering women across the State.
“If we have to empower ourselves, our womenfolk and our daughters, then it is very important for us to ask for our rights. Say no to polygamy and say yes to property rights for our daughters and for our women,” she said.
She urged the present APWWS leadership to pursue the proposed legislation on property rights for APST women.
BYGWC Principal Dr Aruna Gyati Lod thanked APWWS for choosing the institution as a venue for its event. Informing the gathering that she had joined the organisation, she encouraged her female colleagues to follow suit.
Despite limited resources, she said, the college consistently recorded an annual pass percentage of 90–94%, while its students regularly secured places among the top 10 performers in semester examinations at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU).
She also highlighted the achievements of students in games and sports.
YINGKIONG: The Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society, Upper Siang district unit, celebrated its 47th foundation day at the APWWS office here today under the theme “Youth – Our Present and Future: An Inclusive Way Forward.” The programme commenced with flag hoisting and the singing of the APWWS anthem.
As part of the celebration, the district unit felicitated former president Kalpana Perme Sitek and former general secretary Kosiang Pangkam in recognition of their remarkable leadership and contributions during their respective tenures.
The unit also honoured three medical professionals of the district-Dr Gepeng Litin, District Medical Officer, Upper Siang; Dr Etuk Jopir, Senior Gynaecologist; and Dr Joseph Tekseng, Anaesthesian, District Hospital, Yingkiong for their dedicated service and invaluable contributions to healthcare in the district.
ZPC Api Kombo highlighted the importance of APWWS as a vital platform for women and called for concerted efforts to strengthen the organisation so that women from all sections of society could benefit from its services.
In her address, president Kasimang Jopir Pazing thanked everyone for their active participation and paid tribute to the pioneering women who established APWWS in Arunachal Pradesh, providing women with a platform to lead, support and guide one another.
The programme concluded with a tree plantation drive around the office premises. As part of the event, APWWS Yingkiong also organised an essay writing competition on the topic “Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow – An Inclusive Way Forward” at PM Shri Govt Sec School, Yingkiong, on October 8. The winners were felicitated with cash prizes and certificates. (With DIPRO inputs)