Violence against women on the rise in Meghalaya

SHILLONG, March 10: Social workers in Meghalaya are concerned that violence against women in rising in the State which is the only matrilineal society in the country, giving a wide range of economic and social powers to the fair sex. Women's issues and problems in the State were once again highlighted at an official function here on March 8 to celebrate the International Women's Day. The chairperson of the State Social Welfare Advisory Board, T Phanbuh set the tone of the meeting by asking the Meghalaya Government to urgently set up a State commission for women. Urging Chief Minister EK Mawlong to hasten the process to set up the body, she pointed out that Meghalaya was among the few States yet to fulfil its commitment in this regard. Pleading for urgency in the matter, the board chairperson drew attention to the growing violence against women in the State, she said. The Chief Minister said, women in Meghalaya are free from social sanctions giving scope for a more active role for the women in the field of social and economic growth. He, however, agreed there were many broken homes and families in the State and called for studies to unearth the causes of the problems. On the issue of women not being allowed to participate in 'Dorbars' and also barred from decision-making bodies, Mawlong said that the issue was being tackled through a national debate.