SEMINARS /WORKSHOPS ORGANISED:(a) 2004-05 (b)
2006-07
(a)
2004-05
The Commission
organized two separate Seminars of one day each on the topic ‘Marriage and
Family Ties’; one among the Garos on the 4th June, 2005 at Tura,
West Garo Hills district and the other among the Khasis on the 11th
June, 2005 at Shillong.
The objective of
both the Seminars was to create awareness among the youths with regard to the
importance of legalization of marriage amongst the tribes and to persuade
the government so that the unhealthy trend prevailing in the society, such as
teenage pregnancy, co-habitation and unwed mothers could be arrested to a
certain extent and build a stronger tribal society.
The men folks
are addicted to alcoholism due to frustration and various other reasons and
women are the brewers of the local stuff/drinks for economic stability, but as a
result many women become widows.
11.1. The Seminar
dealt at length the existing system of succession and inheritance, marriages and
family ties, divorce and other legal protection etc., and recommended as
follows:-
1. Garo Society is
governed by matrilineal laws of succession and inheritance, so this
is a unique in itself and deviation from this will lead to confusion.
Therefore, it is recommended that the existing system to remain for the time
being.
2. Since most of the
marriages are un-registered, the legal protection and monetary maintenance for
the divorcee/mother and children are deprived in the present scenario. It is
urged upon that the marriage should be registered either in the traditional way
with the Nokma (Headman) as a witness or in any other form so that the stability
and protection of the family is guaranteed. For this, the Nokma (Headman)
should be empowered to work out the modalities.
3. The Nokma is also to
ensure that no marriage shall be considered legal and registered unless
the boys and girls attain 21 years of age and 18 years of age respectively.
This would ensure responsible parent-hood.
4. Documentation of
Customary Laws and legalization of marriage after that the codification will be
processed.
5. It is seen that due
to non registration, non legalization of marriage a large amount of ability of
the children are wasted, which leads to juvenile delinquency, child labour,
dropouts and other anti social activities.
11.2. The second
Seminar discussed at length the existing system of family ties/divorce and
legal protection for the women in a matrilineal society and recommended as
follows:-
1. Khasi society is
governed by the matrilineal laws of succession and inheritance. The social
institutions are therefore unique and different from the patrilineal customs of
succession which is universal among nearly all the races of people in the
globe. The system of kinship and succession among the Khasi, therefore centre
round the mother.
a) In view
of the matrilineal customs that are in vogue adoption of mother’s clan name by
the children male or female of the family as violation of it may lead to any
kind of complication as such confused notions, in not using the correct mother’s
title, have affected society during the late years. Adoption of mother’s clan
name in fact is a standing usage.
2. The Seminar
recommended that adequate protection to be given to women affected by divorces
of their husbands, thereby to enabling them to receive compensatory protection
that is in respect of the wife and her children as per the prevailing usages.
3. To empower Durbar
Shnongs (local Durbars) to register marriages within their respective confines
to ensure proper steps to sustain marriages and prevent them from being easily
breakable and prevent households from being single parentage or one side’s
desertion.
4. Durbar Shnongs
further are to ensure that no boy and girl to get married before 21 and 18 years
respectively of age that is on the basis of registration of births and other
kind of documentation for verification to be made available by the local
authority.
5. It also recommended
to urge upon his Excellency the Governor of Meghalaya to kindly give his assent
to the Will system Bill passed by the Autonomous Khasi Hills District Council
since 1997. Assent of this Bill into an Act will be very helpful to transfer
parts of self acquired property of parents to sons apart from daughters as
should become a good nucleus to raise investments and start business enterprises
on the part of males.
6. The Bill on
Registration of Marriage is helpful to curtail loose and wasteful marriages and
regularize marital connection on a firmer footing. The child shall be
registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a
name, the right to acquire a nationality and, as far as possible, the right to
know and be cared by for his or her parents. In the similar line, registration
of marriage may also be made mandatory. Many renowned NGOs emphasized the need
to enact the bill for Compulsory Registration of Marriage.
In this regard,
after the deliberations the Commission had requested the Council (KHADC) to
envisage measures in Registration of Marriages and understandably, steps
have been taken in containing the irregularities prevailing in the marriage
system. It is understood that the assent of the Hon. Governor of Meghalaya is
yet to be sought on the bill.
12. The North
Eastern Regional Workshop held on 19th & 20th November
2004 on Women Power Connect organized by Women Power Connect and the Meghalaya
State Commission for Women discussed about the Women’s reservation in the Rajya
Sabha and Lok Sabha. The matter still remains in cold storage.
13. The
Chairperson participated at the North East Consultation meet organized by
Ministry of Women & Child Development on 17th & 18th
February, 2005 in collaboration with the Directorate of Social Welfare, Govt.
of Meghalaya, relating the Health issues of women, girls and children.
14. Organized the
Anti Dowry Day on 26th November, 2004 at Women’s College, Shillong
sponsored by the Directorate of Social Welfare. Prof. Sujata Miri, NEHU, Prof.
Y.N. Karma, Head Sociology Department, Principal of Women’s College threw light
on the evils of dowry and its practices. The Deputy Superintendent (Crime) also
attended the meeting and informed that the number of cases received though very
small, but still there is a need to create awareness among the people in the
city. Students from various colleges of the city and members from the Sarada
Sangha (Rama Krishna Mission) Mahila Ekta Samiti and other NGO members attended
the programme.
15. The
Chairperson attended a One day National Convention on ‘Review of the Dowry Act,
1961, as the Guest of Honour – and also presented a paper – from 22nd
to 24th November, 2005.
TOP
(a)
2006-07
On 4th April, 2006
the Chairperson along with Mrs. Sophia R. marak, Member attended as Resource
person a Seminar and presented a paper on Women’s Reservation in the Local
Councils and Traditional Institutions held at Tura.
On
15th April, 2006 the Chairperson attended a Seminar on “Economic
Empowerment of Women” as Resource person at Mawphlang, East Khasi Hills
organized by Seng Kur Kharshiïing.
On 29th
& 30th April, 2006 the Chairperson attended the Seminar on State
Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in New Delhi. Discussions were held on
the following:
(i)
Medical negligence.
(ii)
Insurance.
(iii)
Problem being faced by Consumers Fora, New Delhi
On 29th
and 30th May, 2006 the Chairperson attended a two-day Seminar on Sexual
Harassment & Domestic Violence organized jointly by the Meghalaya Administrative
Training Institute and the Meghalaya State Commission for Women and sponsored by
the National Commission for Women.
On 21st
November, 2006 the Chairperson and Mrs. H. Kharbhih, Vice Chairperson attended
a one day workshop on Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking with special
Focus on Children and Women organized by the National Commission for Women, New
Delhi.
On 5th
and 6th February, 2007 the Chairperson and Mrs. Minoti Sarma,
memberattended a Regional Workshop on powers of the Civil Court Vested with the
Commission – Formulation of best practices in Shillong.
On 29th
March, 2007 the Chairperson as Resource person attended a Seminar on Women
Social Justice and Human Rights organized by National Institute of Public
Co-operation and Child Development, Khanapara, Guwahati. Presented a paper on
Women Social/Justice and their rights.
On 31st
March, 2007 the Chairperson attended the National Co-operation Dialogue for
Development of a policy for equitable Access to Justice in North East India
organized by the national Legal Services Authority New Delhi at Guwahati as a
special invitee.
The
Chairperson attended a meeting in New Delhi on 3rd and 4th
February, 2006 organized by the National Commission for Women at Vigyan Bhavan.
This programme aimed at awakening the rural women to empower every rural woman
by conducting massive awareness campaign covering all walks of life affecting
women.
TOP
