Itanagar, March 7 The Arunachal Pradesh government organized a marathon in the state capital on the eve of International Women's Day (IWD) to promote women's empowerment and highlight the importance of their well-being.
The marathon, organized by the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department, saw the participation of a large number of women, including students and senior citizens.
The event featured two categories – a competitive 10-km marathon and a 5-km fun run, allowing participants of different fitness levels to participate.
WCD Commissioner Nyali Ete also joined the run along with WCD Director Chadan Tangjang.
"Our goal is to see women lead in every sphere – whether it's on the track or in the workforce," Ete said during a post-race media briefing.
He added that the marathon marked the beginning of the International Women's Day celebrations, and that a cyclothon would be organized on Sunday.
Tangjang urged women in the state to take up sports as a means of self-expression and to showcase their talent.
The event also highlighted Mission Shakti, the government's flagship initiative aimed at ensuring women's safety and empowerment.
State nodal officer for Mission Shakti, Bahi Koyu, said that the WCD Department is strengthening support systems for women through 'one-stop centres' that provide assistance to women in distress.