Limawabang Jamir, W Nginyeih Konyak and Tosheli Zhimomi with others during a training programme for functionaries of Mission Shakti in Kohima on July 30. (Morung Photo)
Nagaland observes World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 30
The National Commission for Women (NCW) in collaboration with Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) & Mission Shakti, Social Welfare Department, Nagaland, organised a training programme for functionaries of Mission Shakti cum observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30.
Addressing the event at SIRD Conference Hall, Kohima, the NSCW Chairperson W Nginyeih Konyak said that as mandated by the National Commission for Women, the NSCW in collaboration with Social Welfare Department conduct this awareness training programme of the functionaries of Mission Shakti to develop a cadre of well-trained personnel, equipped to effectively handle gender-based violence, while also building capacity to train grassroots functionaries and ensuring mental wellbeing.
Stating that the training is designed to sharpen skills, synchronize efforts, and ensure that no woman or child in Nagaland is left vulnerable to exploitation, she called upon the participants to use this opportunity to renew their dedication and build a Nagaland where every woman walks with dignity, secure in her safety, and empowered in her choices.
This training programme is not a routine administrative gathering. It is a critical convergence of safety, justice, and empowerment for the women and children of Nagaland, Nginyeih said.
On World Day against Trafficking in Persons, she said “It is a day that demands our collective conscience, our absolute alertness, and our structural action.”
Stressing on the need to speak honestly about this crime, NSCW chairperson said “Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery and it is an ongoing tragedy. It targets the most vulnerable, especially women and children. It exploits their dreams, breaks their bodies, and strips away their human dignity. Our response cannot be passive. It must be proactive, comprehensive, and relentless.”
She said that the institutional collaboration between the NCW, NSCW and the Social Welfare Department under Mission Shakti ensures that national policies do not remain distant ideals, and they are accurately modified, localized, and deployed directly into the districts, villages, and remote corners of Nagaland.
Mission Shakti for women empowerment
Nginyeih said that Mission Shakti provides a unified, comprehensive umbrella for women's safety, security, and empowerment.
By working together, we remove administrative siloes, she said adding “We ensure that a woman seeking help in a remote border district of Nagaland is backed by the exact same institutional strength as one in a national capital.”
Stating that Mission Shakti becomes the most powerful tool, she said, “It is not just a policy paper. It is an integrated framework designed to protect, support, and uplift. Through Sambat-focusing on safety and security-and Samarthya-focusing on empowerment and upliftment, we create an ecosystem that makes our communities hostile to traffickers and welcoming to survivors.”
To achieve the goals of both Mission Shakti and anti-trafficking initiatives, we must focus on operational priorities on Inter-agency speed like the Social Welfare Department, the NSCW, local administration and police must communicate without bureaucratic delays, she said.
Functionaries must build strong bonds with local village councils and student bodies to ensure community-level vigilance. Most importantly Survivors of trafficking and abuse do not just need rescue, they need sustained legal, psychological, and economic livelihood support to prevent re-trafficking, she said.
Further, she stressed on the need to look into holistic rehabilitation of the survivor.
One Stop Centres cater to 311 cases
Tosheli Zhimomi, Director, Social Welfare Department, appreciated the dedicated staff of the One Stop Centre, Women Helpline and Shakti Sadan.
During the last financial year 2025-2026, she said, One Stop Centres catered to 311 cases, Women Helpline recorded 2090 calls, of which 144 were effective calls requiring intervention and support, she said adding that the cases includes domestic violence, Cybercrime, sexual assault, POCSO, Missing cases and other women in distress situation
Touching on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, she said “Let us all renew our resolve to work together to ensure that our women and children are given the best services when they come seeking our help.”
She also told the staff to work in close coordination with other Missions within the Social Welfare Department especially Mission Vatsalya and continue to help the society.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Kekhrienuo Meyase, member NSCW.
The technical session discussed on Medico- Legal procedures for handling gender- based violence, SOPs for catering to women and children affected by gender- based violence, legal rights for women and children.
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