Agartala, February 13 (TIWN): A two-day long national seminar on ‘Empowerment of Tribal Women’ was inaugurated at the Matangini Pritilata Sabhagriha here today. The Women’s College of Agartala organized the seminar in collaboration with Tribal Research and Tribal Institute (TRCI) of Tripura.

 Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) and chief guest- Dr. Prafullajit Sinha inaugurated the seminar by lighting ceremonial lamp in presence many other dignitaries.

‘Empowering women’ is a crucial path to bring equality and reduce gender disparities in society by which initiative the overall status of women is uplifting in Tripura, said Bina Rani Tripura, assistant professor of Government Degree College, Khumulwng.

According to abstract statements by Abhijit Sarkar and Prithwi Jyoti Bhowmik (Assistant Professor of ICV College, Belonia), the importance of the tribal women in the society is substantial due to their relentless hardworking capacity, family management capacity, efficiency in all agrarian operations with the exception of ploughing.

The tribal women also act as main workers and marginal workers in different economic activities including cultivation, mining, forestry fishing, hunting, plantation, household industry, trade and commerce, they added.

According to the last census report, the percentage of scheduled tribe women in the state is 49.57 percent, representing almost half of the tribal women. The literacy rate of the tribal women has been increased to 71.6 percent and the sex ration of the tribal population in the state is 983.

During the two-day seminar, many important topics including ‘Role of Education in Empowering Tribal Women: A study’, ‘Empowerment of tribal Women in Tripura through Self Help Groups’, Fostering Positive Health and Empowering Tribal Girl Students of Tripura: An Empirical Analysis’ will be discussed by the experts.

The inaugural session of the seminar was presided over by the Principal of Women’s College cum chairperson of the national seminar committee- Dr. Manidipa Debbarma while welcome address was delivered by the organizing secretary- Prof. Lily Debbarma.

Prof. Kakchang Debbarma of NEHU, Shillong delivered the key note address while Director of TRCI- Sailohnuna and Director of Higher Education- Dr. Bipradas Palit graced the dais as special guests.