<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Joining the rest of the world, Nagaland celebrated International Women's Day, under the theme "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress".</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">A state level celebration was held at Kohima, wherein eight Women Padma Shri Awardees from Nagaland, MP Rajya Sabha and two women Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly were felicitated. Three women from the field of Social work and Entrepreneurship received Nagaland State Commission for Women Award 2024. Self Help Group Women achievers from various districts were also felicitated.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Extending her greetings on the occasion, Minister Women Resource Development & Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse said the theme "Invest in women: Accelerate Progress" has the prospect to transform the world.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">She said, despite women being backbone of society, for so long they continue to face countless barriers and inequalities that hinder their progress and limit their impact.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Mrs. Kruse said therefore it is time to recognize the untapped potential that lies within women and invest in them with equal opportunities, resources, and support so that they can thrive and succeed.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Minister said that investing in women is not just a matter of morality but a matter of social and economic progress.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">She further urged both the men and women to recommit themselves to invest in women, and continue to make the efforts and provide them with the tools they need to succeed, to accelerate progress, create a more sustainable future, and reach new heights of an equitable society.</span></p>