Meghalaya’s health minister advocates for dignity and empowerment for women

Shillong, Jan 22: Meghalaya’s Health Minister, Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, has passionately called for the creation of environments where women and girls can aspire, achieve, and live with dignity. Speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, Dr. Lyngdoh highlighted the enduring marginalization of women in politics and other sectors while advocating for urgent reforms to ensure greater representation and empowerment.

“We must ensure that women are not just treated as equals but are empowered to lead and inspire future generations,” Dr. Lyngdoh emphasized at the event, which was hosted at the Meghalaya Rongali Bihu Auditorium in Shillong. The gathering was organized by the District Social Welfare Officer and District Sankalp Hub for Empowerment of Women, East Khasi Hills District, in collaboration with the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Dr Lyngdoh did not shy away from addressing the systemic obstacles women face. “Women are often relegated to lesser roles and face numerous obstacles in sustaining careers, particularly in politics,” she said. She urged for systemic reforms to dismantle these barriers and stressed that achieving equality requires more than policy measures. “Equality goes beyond words. We must actively work to break societal structures that perpetuate unpaid labor and gender biases,” she asserted.

The minister also brought attention to menstrual health, describing it as a fundamental human rights issue. She called for its integration into school curricula, saying, “We need to develop a pedagogy where boys and girls are taught about reproductive health in classrooms. This is essential for fostering mutual respect and understanding.”

Dr. Lyngdoh advocated for value-based education to instill principles of equality and mutual respect from an early age. “Sensitizing children through moral education is key to truly embracing equality,” she said, emphasizing the need for educational reforms that nurture fairness and inclusivity.

Sharing personal anecdotes, Dr. Lyngdoh reflected on her upbringing in a liberal yet traditionally bound family. “I had to manage household chores while others didn’t. How many of us continue to bear this invisible burden?” she asked, urging men to play an active role in dismantling gender stereotypes and supporting women’s empowerment.

Dr. Lyngdoh passionately advocated for creating spaces where women and girls can dream, achieve, and live with respect. She highlighted the importance of prayer and assemblies in schools for fostering mindfulness and unity. “Prayer provides peace of mind and promotes harmony, an essential foundation for any educational institution,” she added.

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