Port Blair, Mar 09: In order to observe the International Women’s Day, the Non-Gazetted Government Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands organised a meeting at Crusade House, Phoenix Bay, Port Blair at 5 p.m. yesterday. Women government employees from Port Blair and South Andaman areas attended the programme which was presided over by Smt Jayashree.
Addressing the women employees, Smt Rekha Sharma, Organising Secretary of the South Andaman Teachers’ Branch of the Association outlined various problems being faced by the women particularly women employees in the islands. Smt Nazreen Begum, Vice President, Little Andaman Branch Committee of the Association, while addressing the meeting, recalled the origin and history of the international women’s movement and International Women’s Day. Smt Neena Balaji, Smt T.K. Ammukutty, Smt Sagarika Das and Smt Shreelekha Choudhury while addressing the women employees emphasized the need to organise the women employees and to educate them about the social and economic inequality prevailing in the society. They had also demanded setting up of a Women’s Commission for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. D. Ayyappan, General Secretary explained the legal rights of women and women employees quoting various provisions of laws and the historical judgement of Supreme Court in Visakha – vs – State of Rajasthan case.
Mr. SC Biswas, President and Mr. TS Sreekumar, Asst. General Secretary of the Association also addressed the gathering. Speakers in the meeting expressed concern over the increasing attack on the women in the islands and the failure of the Administration to prevent it. Smt KM Ambily Mani proposed vote of thanks.
