On International Day of Rural Women, 15th October, 2021, NEN Meghalaya highlighted the women farmers’ contribution and participation to the society.
We celebrated their contribution towards their families and the national economy, along with acknowledging their role as guardians of nutrition and food security of the community as a whole.
NEN organised a Women Farmers’ Market where women farmers from many villages of the Mawthadrashan Block of the West Khasi Hills District viz. Umsaw, Laitkseh, Langlew, Nongshillong and Wahliewlong, came together at St Savio’s Hall, Shillong. Fresh fruits and vegetables along with forest grown herbs and vegetables like Batsohlah, Sla Phankaro and Sohma were available for buyers.
A cultural programme was held as an opening event with community members of Laitkseh village performing a dance called ‘Ka Jingshad ki Nongrep’ (a dance to depict the traditional and indigenous agricultural activities of farmers in the Khasi Hills).
A short skit was performed by the members of Laitkseh village conveying the hardships that women farmers face in the wake of COVID19. The event saw enthusiastic participation from locals.
The UN asserts that if we want to promote healthy food and do away with food insecurity, involvement of women farmers is necessary. The UN Food Summit held on September 2021, made a bold commitment to build linkages and markets for these farmers to recognise “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All” which was the theme for this year’s International Day of Rural Women.
