Agartala, March 8: The Tripura government has planned various programs across the state to celebrate International Women’s Day. This year’s global theme is ‘Rights, Equality, and Empowerment for Every Woman and Girl,’ while the state-specific theme focuses on ‘Eliminating Child Marriage and Other Social Evils Through a Collective Movement and Women Empowerment.’ The state-level celebration will take place on March 13 at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan, Agartala. Announcing the program at a press conference today, Minister for Social Welfare and Social Education Tinku Roy said that women CDPOs, ICDS supervisors, and outstanding Anganwadi workers and helpers will be felicitated at the event. Various government departments will also conduct programs to mark the occasion. On March 8, Tripura Women’s Commission will organize a colorful rally in Agartala, while the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports will host a state-level mini-marathon for women. Additionally, the Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights will conduct a cycle rally and has been running awareness programs in brick kilns and tea gardens across the state since March 1. Minister Tinku Roy also announced that the Education Department will hold awareness workshops and discussions on child marriage in schools across all districts.
The State Police will organize a felicitation program for women police officers and successful women from various fields, alongside awareness campaigns on cyber security and women’s rights. The Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) will also mark International Women’s Day with various activities across the state.
Selfie points will be set up at state and block offices, and self-defense training sessions will be conducted. Additionally, successful women from self-help groups (SHGs) will be honored, and a photo exhibition showcasing their achievements will be organized. The Health Department will conduct special health and awareness camps at all Primary Health Centers (PHCs), and awareness desks will be set up in sub-divisional and district hospitals to educate people on the risks of child marriage and teenage pregnancy. Meanwhile, panchayat representatives and community leaders have been engaged in awareness campaigns at the village and ward levels since March 1.
The Labour Department will also hold awareness programs in tea gardens, brick kilns, and industrial areas on the impact of child marriage. A district-level celebration of International Women’s Day has been underway since March 1 and will continue till March 12. Eminent women personalities from various fields, including politics, arts, and social work, as well as women MLAs, Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipatis, and women panchayat leaders, have been invited. Anganwadi workers and helpers who performed exceptionally in tracking malnutrition, implementing Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and spreading awareness against child marriage will be felicitated. Minister Tinku Roy further stated that under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, 34,974 pregnant women in Tripura have received benefits this fiscal year. Under the Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Upahar scheme, 21,551 pregnant women have been assisted. Additionally, 1,373 children have received sponsorship and foster care allowances this year.
To support working women, 10 Working Women’s Hostels are being constructed in the state, with ₹114 crore sanctioned for the project. The first installment of ₹75.24 crore has already been received.
Apart from this, Sakhi Niwas in Agartala and One-Stop Centers in all districts are available for women’s welfare. The government is also working on setting up Women Hubs in all eight districts to provide skill development training for women empowerment. Director of the Social Welfare and Social Education Department, Tapan Kumar Das, was also present at the press conference.
