SHILLONG:
National People’s Party legislator from East Shillong Ampareen Lyngdoh has urged women legislators not to allow party politics to divide their common interest.
“We should not allow party politics to divide our common interest and goal to uplift and uphold women in general in the state of Meghalaya,” Lyngdoh told reporters after taking oath of office and secrecy.
Terming the low representation of women in the assembly as “very sad”, she said, “Three has been more or less a number that has been there for quite some time. We had four then now it is three again.”
Ampareen said she is looking forward to working with the two other women legislators on issues related to women in the state.
She further expressed concern over the safety and security of women and children in the state.
“Safety has become a big concern in the state. We must ensure every woman feels safe as they walk the streets,” she said.
When asked, Lyngdoh said, “It depends on the assignment that I will receive. I am yet to be privy to the assignment that has been tasked for me. So we will see how that happens and we will take it from there.”
Expressing similar concern, Sutnga-Saipung legislator Santa Mary Shylla, however, said that women are slowly coming forward to participate in politics.
“We are hoping that in the next five years, we will see more women in the assembly,” she said while stating that her major role will be to encourage women folks.
She also assured that improving the road connectivity in her constituency would be in her top priority list.