As part of building community response towards social issues like VAW, CSA and alcoholism and drug addiction, North East Network have been conducting community meetings with local stakeholders and outreach programmes in several districts of Meghalaya. These programmes have encouraged villages to further strengthen their resolve to guarantee women’s rights and prevent violence against women.
NEN Outreach Workers in West Khasi Hills had initiated an Awareness Programme on social issues at Wahliewlong Village on 14th January, 2022. A skit was performed by the Seng Kynthei of the village on ‘Domestic Violence’ and a participatory activity was conducted with the youths to promote active decision making amongst youths and women.
The objective of the programme was to build a larger community response mechanism to respond to cases of Domestic Violence along with shared public responsibility in addressing domestic violence and other social issues. The programme also provided a space for the members to introspect on their role in working for the welfare of their village. The Dorbar Shnong, Seng Kynthei, Seng Samla and community as a whole has the task to promote the welfare of all. Through the sensitization programme and participatory activity, the participants gained more knowledge about the legal implications on the various social issues and how these issues are not just household ones but legal concerns as well. It also enabled them to realise the need for inclusivity in decision making and participation towards a healthier society.
