Sribadam’s Lako Phuti picked for Indian squad to Asian Football Confederation championship

GANGTOK, 16 Oct: Lako Phuti Bhutia has become the fourth woman from Sikkim to play international football following her selection in the U-19 Indian Women’s football team.
Pushpa Chhetri, Anuradha Chhetri and Nima Lhamu Bhutia are others from the state who have represented the country in the international arena.
A release from Sikkim Football Association informs that Lako is part of the India U-19 National Women’s Team which is to participate in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) championship to be held in Malaysia.
After attending a coaching camp at Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat for one month, the team will leave from Mumbai to Malaysia on 17 October. As per the release, the Indian team will play two matches in the qualifying round. On 20 October, they will play against Bangladesh and on 24 October they will play against Uzbekistan.
Lako hails from the remote village of Sribadam, West Sikkim and is the daughter of Mikchen Bhutia and Late Pem Lhamu Bhutia.
General secretary, Sikkim Football Association [SFA], Menla Ethenpa has expressed that SFA is very happy with her performance in the international arena. Mr Ethenpa called upon other Sikkimese women soccer players to follow the foot steps of Lako Phuti, the release mentions.
While talking to SFA from Gandhi Nagar before her departure to Mumbai en-route to Malaysia, Lako thanked SFA for giving her an opportunity and also thanked her Coach at Mangalbaria Football Academy, Palden Bhutia for nurturing her talent.
President, SFA, BK Roka has also sent a message congratulating her and wished her all the very best.

Number of cases received by State Women’s Commission down to 94 in 2011-12 from 122 in 2010

AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 14 June: The Sikkim State Commission for Women [SSCW] has received a total of 250 cases from 2010 till May 2012 and it is informed that almost all the cases have been resolved. SSCW has successfully solved 226 of these cases, while 34 cases that were registered with the Commission since April 2012 will be heard by the Commission on 15 and 29 June. The cases that the Commission has addressed so far since 2010 are of family dispute, matrimonial dispute, assault, property dispute, mental torture and illicit relations.
Speaking to NOW!, Chairperson SSCW, Subhadra Rai, stated that the highest number of cases registered with the Commission was in the year 2010-11 when 122 cases came to it. This number has come down to 94 in 2011-12. This decrease in the number of cases is, according to the Chairperson, is a result of wider awareness on women’s issues and rights among people in the state. The count for the year 2012-13 has begun with 34 cases so far.
She went on to add that all cases received by the Commission are given the highest priority and justice delivered to all those women and even men who knock on the doors of the Commission seeking justice.
Ms Rai mentioned that the Commission has been conducting awareness camps across the state covering all the districts, every year and the target groups set for the camps are Panchayats, non governmental organisations, elderly citizens, women, men and even the young generation.
She adds that women in distress and unwed mothers, if traced during any case, are sent to Mamtalaya for a fixed tenure, where they are facilitated with some skill development training to help them come into the mainstream society on their own.
“The best part about our society is that distressed and unwed women are accepted back the society when they come out of the Mamtalaya and are even encouraged due to which no additional problems are being faced so far by women in the state,” said Ms Rai.
Speaking on bigamy, the Chairperson stated, “There exist no laws or rights for the second wife rather all the rights are only secured by the first wife, so it’s important for every woman across the state to think twice before getting into such relationships”.
Ms Rai informed that women from all sections of the society including working women knock the doors of the Commission for justice.

State Govt now has to comply with landmark Apex court order on sexual harassment in workplace including private companies

STATE TO IMPLEMENT GUIDELINES IMMEDIATELY
ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 09 Feb: In what considered a landmark judgment against sexual harassment against women at the workplace, the Supreme Court on 3 February has directed the government of Sikkim to immediately constitute Complaint Committees in all the workplaces in public, public undertakings, private companies and hotel industries in compliance with this judgment and more importantly give wide publicity on the steps being taken by the government in compliance with the order. A few years ago the order of Supreme Court in Visakha’s Case had also observed the necessity to protect women from sexual harassment in the workplace.
In fact in the order dated 3 February observes that the court is satisfied “…that the state government has taken the steps necessary for implementing the guidelines and norms laid down by this court in Vishaka’s case and the directions given in Medha Kotwal’s case”. It further directed the state government give wide publicity to notifications issued by it in compliance with the court’s order and the same to be aired through Doordarshan station; further the Social Welfare department and the Legal Service have also been directed to give wide publicity to the notifications and orders of the government.
The SC order comes after a PIL which was filed by a victim from Sikkim in the Supreme Court of India against the issue of sexual harassment at Workplace which is considered one of the biggest concerns for working women here and that every woman who enters a workplace has a right to be protected and freedom granted from hostile work environment as gender equality includes protection from sexual harassment and right to work with dignity which is also a universally recognized basic human right.
Addressing a press conference here at the Press Club of Sikkim today, Dr.Doma Bhutia who represents the petitioner from Sikkim welcomed the decision and highlighted that the state government now had to observe guidelines to ensure that this violation is not carried out here which was not followed strictly in the state.
The guidelines which need to be implemented soon is that it will now be the duty of the employer or other responsible persons in workplaces and other institutions to prevent and deter the commission of acts of sexual harassment and to provide the procedures for the resolution, settlement and prosecution of acts of sexual harassment by taking all steps required.
The definition of sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexually determined behavior like physical contact and advances, a demand or request for sexual favours, sexually- coloured remarks, showing pornography and any unwelcome physical, verbal or non- verbal conduct of sexual nature. That this acts are committed in circumstances where the victim of such conduct has a reasonable apprehension that in relation to the victim’s employment or work whether she is drawing salary, honorarium or voluntary, whether in government, public or private enterprise such conduct can be humiliating and may constitute a health and safety problem.
“It is discriminatory for instance when the women has reasonable grounds to believe that her objection would disadvantage her in connection with her employment or work including recruiting or promotion or when it creates a hostile work environment. Adverse consequences might be visited if the victim does not consent to the conduct in question or raises any objection,” informed Dr.Doma.
Under the preventive steps which are now mandatory all employers or persons in charge of workplace whether in the public or private sector should take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment, they should now express prohibition of sexual harassment which should be notified, published and circulated in appropriate ways.
Along with the formation of complaint committees, the public and private establishments have to generate awareness of the rights of the female employees. In this regard, the state government has to adopt suitable measures including legislation to ensure that the guidelines laid are observed by the employers in private sector.
The state government shall give comprehensive publicity to the notifications and orders issued, wide publicity has to be given every month on Doordarshan Station, Sikkim about various steps taken by the state government for implementation of the guidelines.
That now the Social welfare department and the legal service authority of the state of Sikkim shall also give wide publicity not only for government departments of the state and its agencies but also for private companies.
“We have full faith in the Government of Sikkim to implement all directions in letter and spirit for which I shall continuously follow for the implementation of the same which if not would be contempt of court. I also hope that the state will go an extra mile to amend the Sikkim Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, 1983 like they have done in the Sikkim Government servants Conduct Rules, 1981 and extend and notify industrial employment [standing orders] Act, 1946,” she stated.

Sikkim footballer Nima Lhamu in Team India

GANGTOK, 15 Sept: Nima Lhamu Bhutia has been selected in the Senior India Women's Football Team after attending a coaching camp held at Lucknow last month, informs a press release issued by the Sikkim Football Association [SFA].
The team left for Bahrain today on an exposure trip where the Indian team will play three matches on 17, 20 and 23 Sept against Bahrain’s national teams.

Mangalbaria’s Nima Lhamu shortlisted for Team India coaching camp

GANGTOK, 24 Aug: Nima Lhamu Bhutia of Mangalbari has been shortlisted for the Indian Women's Senior Football Team coaching camp. This team is being prepared by AIFF for its international commitments in 2011-12.
The coaching will continue till 17 Sept 2011, after which the final team will be announced.
Nima is scheduled to reach the SAI Centre at Lucknow on 25 August where the All India Football Federation is conducting the course. She is being escorted by her coach Palden Bhutia.

Cheli Morcha celebrates International Women's Day

GANGTOK, 09 March: International Women’s Day was celebrated in a grand manner by the Cheli Morcha of the Sikkim Democratic Front yesterday at SDF Bhawan.
The celebration was chaired by the vice-president of grievances cell of the party, Kalawati Subba and was attended by senior lady members of the party from all over the state.
Ms Subba mentioned that the SDF party has provided security and protection to the rights and interest of women to empower them more substantially.
The function was also addressed by other senior Cheli Morcha members.