Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. General K.T. Parnaik (Retd.) said on Wednesday that women in state are playing big role in social,economic and community development . He was speaking during meeting with National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar at Lok Bhavan in Itanagar .
And he is not wrong here . In many parts of Arunachal Pradesh,women are not just managing homes,they are visible in agriculture,local work,community activities and now even governance spaces . That shift is not small thing ah.
Parnaik also spoke about women getting more involved in entrepreneurship and social initiatives,especially through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). These SHGs have helped improve livelihoods and pushed financial independence among rural communities . Slowly,but it is making difference.
Few points stood out from discussion:
- Empowerment through education,with greater access to education for women .
- Active participation in governance,with women being encouraged in decision-making processes .
- Support for SHGs,recognising Self-Help Groups in economic upliftment.
But what caught my attention more was mention of women’s work in anti-drug campaigns,cleanliness drives and health awareness initiatives . These are not glamorous areas,but they affect daily life directly. And many times,women are ones actually carrying such campaigns inside villages and communities .
Governor also described women as custodians of family values and cultural heritage across Arunachal Pradesh's diverse tribal communities . That line sounds familiar,but in tribal societies,it also carries weight because culture is kept alive through daily practices,language,rituals and family systems.
At same time,when leaders talk about women’s empowerment,it cannot stay only in speech. More roles in education,governance and decision-making means actual access,actual space and actual listening . Otherwise women keep doing work,but recognition comes later only .
Parnaik also appreciated upcoming Jan Sunvai and Rashtriya Mahila Aayog Aapke Dwaar programme,which is meant to give women platform to raise concerns and seek support . If it genuinely reaches women who need help most,then it can matter.
And maybe that is real question here… will these programmes move beyond formal meetings and actually make women feel heard in their own villages and towns?
