The launching programme of the Rural Women Upliftment Society (RWUS) initiated projects ‘Rebuilding livelihoods for indigenous Displaced Women in Manipur’ was held on Tuesday at RWUS Training Hall, Sielmat in Churachandpur.
The project was launched by the Churachandpur DC, Dharun Kumar, in the presence of members from different women organisations such as Kuki Women’s Union, Hmar Women Association among others.
Deborah Infimate, the Project Head, said that the project was to be executed within a one-year period, based on survey and with focus on group discussion.
The project is intended to benefit 1000 displaced women who will be divided into 3 categories that include 500 vegetable vendors, 200 women artisan and 300 small traders, she informed.
Deborah also said that they will organise a psycho social counselling support for victims of gender-based violence. Moreover, they will make a visual documentary, organise a two-day Market fair for those women who are beneficiaries. All selected candidates will be based on consideration of survey and on beneficiary criteria. Moreover, the project implementation will be made in close coloboration with philanthropic organisations who are running Relief Camp, Deborah said.
As chief guest of the event, the DC lauded the efforts of RWUS saying that ‘upliftment of women is an indicator of the progress of any given society and hence, the need to empower them’. He said that we all are facing a hard time where we are barely feeding and managing our relief camps and admitted that it was a hard time for any leader too. But the zeal and commitment we have for others will sustain us, the DC said.
The DC also admonished all the participants that the IDPs always need our care and support while lauding the efforts of RWUS in this trying time.
Samuel L Shakum, Program Manager at RWUS, in his keynote address said that so far, RWUS had been directly or indirectly helping IDPS since the crisis in Manipur started. They have donated 9000 bags of rice, 3600 bags of salt, 15,000 litres of cooking oil, etc. apart from providing medicine free of cost and surgical materials which all together cost Rs 2.5 crore till date.
He further said that the emergency medicines, medical equipment and surgical items to different hospitals in different districts of Manipur including Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tamenglong are donated by different individuals, Churches and NGOs.
