Shillong: National Commission for Women (NCW) member Laldiangliani Sailo on Monday said single motherhood is one of the growing problems in the country, which requires the more attention by the Centre and commitment of more resources towards their betterment.
"It (single motherhood) is perhaps one of the major growing problems in the country and the world. In the light of this, single mothers deserve a separate set of schemes and programmes for their well being," Sailo said while addressing a National Consultation on issues related to single mothers in Shillong.
"We also need to take note that this is not just for the sake of single mothers alone, but also because of the ramifications this has for society," she said urging the Centre to take a holistic look and adopt "integrated approaches" towards them.
"Most states have now recognised the need for making provision of pension for single mothers in their plans. But, the pensions are low just around Rs 1,000 a month," Sailo said.
The NCW member emphasised the need to increase the pension for single mothers to a level that would enable the women to look after themselves and her children.
Highlighting that skill development was important to alleviate the problem, the NCW member said providing vocational training to such women was as critical to enhance their lives.
"These women need to go through skill development to enable them to achieve economic empowerment be it for jobs in the organised or the entrepreneur sector and the government must play the central role in skill development to facilitate women to work," she said.
Sailo also advocated for the police to be specially sensitive to single mothers, as they were often victims of crimes against women.
"Also that it is equally important for the school system to be sensitised to make room for single mothers and their children," she said.
Organised by the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW), the National Consultation was inaugurated by the State Assembly Speaker Abu Taher Mondal.
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