<span style="color: #222222;">In Meghalaya, the first State Women's Conference on the theme, 'Support and Celebrate' was held today at State Convention Centre, Shillong. The conference was inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.<br />''<br />''Women from different walks of life ranging from entrepreneur, SHG leaders, academicians, writers, journalists, university students and women who have contributed towards betterment of society at large took part in the conference. The event was aimed at celebrating women and generating dialogues towards creating a sustainable and enabling environment for women.<br />''<br />''Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the State Government is giving importance to provide equal opportunities for all. The Chief Minister spoke of the different programmes of the Government for economic and social empowerment of women. The Chief Minister also launched the Early Childhood Development Mission on this occasion and released a booklet to mark the same. He also announced the launch of the revamped 181 Helpline.<br />''<br />''Earlier, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani expressed happiness that the State Government is organizing the conference for the cause of women and children in her video message that was relayed during the inaugural session. She lauded the efforts of the State Government for the empowerment and emancipation of women and said that it is important for all facets of administration to bring to the core of their services the needs of women and children.<br />''<br />''During the day-long sessions, discussions were held on 'The Gender Gap in Decision Making in Meghalaya and Ways to Promote Women's Leadership' and also on 'Women's rights and voice, women's health and safety- Analysis of the present scenario and the way forward. The eminent journalists, professors, academicians, activists, doctors and law enforcers participated along with the stakeholders.<br />''<br />''The conference was also attended by Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla, Chief Secretary R. V. Suchiang and Principal Secretary of Social Welfare Department P. S. Kumar and Chairperson of Meghalaya State Women's Commission Phidalia Toi.</span><br />