The Centre for Gender Equity and Diversity Education and Research (GENDER), MLCU
celebrated International Women’s Day 2023 through an interactive discussion held on the theme DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality. The programme was held on March 09, 2023 (Thursday) in the University campus and was attended by faculty and students across various disciplines. The event began with a welcome address by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. T.K. Kharbamon, followed by the screening of a panel discussion that was held in Doordarshan Kendra Shillong on the same subject, which set the context of gender issues in India and the matrilineal society in Meghalaya.

The interactive session was conducted by Mr. Strong Pillar Nongneng, Assistant Director (IT) at North Eastern Police Academy, Meghalaya. Mr. Nongneng, having trained more than a thousand police and judicial personnel across the country and in neighbouring countries like Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh, shared his expertise on cyber-crime, online fraud and digital forensics on this occasion.

In particular, Mr. Nongneng drew the attention of the young audience to social media related crimes, cyber bullying and online harassment. A strong advocate for the use of technology in law enforcement, Mr. Nongneng’s session aimed at empowering individuals and organizations to better protect themselves from the growing threat of cyber-crime. Gender empowerment through innovation and technology must first address the issue of safety and equity for all.