SHILLONG, Oct 31 ? Though the matrilineal system in Meghalaya is often touted as the strength of women, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has observed with concern that the benefits, which the age-old social system was giving to the womenfolk, has started eroding in modern times.
Nirmala Sitharaman, NCW member, while interacting with the media here last evening, said: ?The matrilineal system is a strength for the women of Meghalaya, but the benefits from the system has started declining.?
She said the observation of the NCW is based on the feedback it has received from women and NGOs at the State-level NGO consultation for situation analysis of status of women in Meghalaya which was held at Hotel Pinewood her on Friday.
?Despite the matrilineal system which puts the women in Meghalaya in an advantageous position when compared to their counterparts in other parts of the country, the weaker sex in the State still face a lot of problems,? Sitharaman said.
Citing alcoholism and drug-addiction as the primary cause of violence including domestic violence against women in Meghalaya, the NCW member said that absence of women cell in police stations was a big handicap for women. Saying she would urge the State Government to recruit women in order to sensitise the police force.
Observing that co-habitation, where a man and a woman live together as husband and wife without a formal marriage, is permitted in the society, Sitharaman said the problem arises when the ?marriage? breaks down. ?Because of the absence of marriage registration, the women cannot claim sustenance allowance.
Sitharaman felt that exemption given to Meghalaya from implementing the Panchayati Raj Act has deprived the women from representation in decision-making bodies.
She also expressed grave concern that trafficking of women from the north-eastern States was growing and called for coordinated efforts by all the state governments in the region to combat the problem. ?Not only poor women but even college educated girls are being lured away into prostitution with the promise of jobs,? Sitharaman revealed.
The NCW member flayed the State Government for its passive approach to women-related issues. ?We are upset that the Government failed to present data on women issues though the Commission had sought it more than a month back,? Sitharaman said.
The Police Department could not sayhow many women below the rank of DSP were there in the 10,000 strong Meghalaya police.
Terming the Meghalaya Government?s response to the NCW as ?very poor?, Sitharaman said representation of senior officers of Commissioner and Secretary level was very little at the meeting of the National Commission with the State Government on Saturday.