Advancing Women’s Empowerment and Unity Across the Northeast
KRC TIMES Manipur Bureau
Imphal: The women-led non-profit organization Eta Northeast Women’s Network has announced its participation in the upcoming North East Integration (NEI) Rally 2026, calling it a significant step toward strengthening understanding, solidarity, and shared purpose across the region.
Eta’s Founder and Chairperson, Sophia Rajkumari, a lawyer, poet, and social entrepreneur, described the rally as a timely platform to bring people together beyond divisions of ethnicity, community, and geography.
“We are honoured to be part of the NEI Rally 2026. It is our sincere hope that the rally serves as a bridge in fostering understanding and unity across the state,” she said. Rajkumari also expressed gratitude to Biswadeep Gupta, Founder of KRC Foundations and initiator of the NEI Rally, for envisioning an event that unites organizations and individuals committed to peace and social harmony in the Northeast.
Rajkumari, known for her strong advocacy for women’s rights and gender justice, has been instrumental in creating opportunities for displaced and marginalized women across Manipur. Under her leadership, Eta has championed livelihood programs for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and spearheaded the establishment of a model village project at Laisoi in Moirang, aimed at promoting sustainable development, skill-building, and community resilience.
Her work continues to inspire a generation of women to lead with empathy and determination, transforming their lives and the communities around them.
Eta: Empowering Women, Rebuilding Hope in Northeast India
Founded in 2019, Eta has evolved into one of Northeast India’s most dynamic grassroots movements for women’s empowerment and social inclusion. With a network of over 4,000 women—most of them from Manipur—Eta stands as a collective voice for those who have endured the twin burdens of conflict and marginalization.
Eta’s mission is rooted in compassion, equality, and resilience. It seeks to build a gender-just society where women’s rights are upheld, their voices are amplified, and their leadership redefines the social and economic landscape of the region.
Vision and Mission
Eta envisions a Northeast India where women are equal partners in shaping their societies—free from violence, empowered to lead, and equipped to thrive.
Its mission focuses on helping women become active agents of change through rights awareness, leadership development, environmental stewardship, and livelihood creation.
The organization’s work is guided by four core pillars:
- Combating Gender-Based Violence
Promoting awareness, prevention, and intervention strategies to combat discrimination and violence, while fostering informed agency among women and youth. - Strengthening Leadership and Governance
Encouraging women to take leadership roles in community and governance structures, ensuring their participation in decision-making at every level. - Promoting Environmental Sustainability
Empowering women as key contributors to biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource use, and climate resilience. - Fostering Economic Resilience
Supporting women through microfinance, entrepreneurship, and vocational training to strengthen financial independence and local economies.
Grassroots Impact and Key Initiatives
Eta’s impact extends across villages, markets, and relief camps—turning grassroots initiatives into engines of empowerment.
- Women’s Rights and Health Awareness
Since 2022, Eta has conducted “Know Your Basic Rights” campaigns across schools, colleges, and community spaces. These sessions have reached hundreds of women, equipping them with knowledge of legal rights, health issues, and protection mechanisms against gender-based violence. Eta also ran a political awareness drive urging all political parties to reserve at least 40% of Assembly election tickets for women, emphasizing equitable representation in governance.
- Women’s Entrepreneurship and Microfinance
Eta’s microfinance journey began in 2021, offering interest-free loans to five women entrepreneurs. The initiative grew rapidly:
2022: 10 women supported
2023: 12 women empowered from low-income families
2024: 50 women supported, including 24 internally displaced persons (IDPs)
Through weaving, food processing, tailoring, and other ventures, these women have not only secured livelihoods but also revitalized local economies that were once disrupted by conflict.
- Financial Literacy and Inclusion
In collaboration with NABARD and the Rural Bank of Manipur, Eta conducted large-scale financial literacy programs at Ema Keithel (Imphal) and Khoyal Keithel (Moirang). Many women vendors and IDPs, previously excluded from formal financial systems, were able to open bank accounts and gain access to credit and savings facilities—empowering them to manage money independently.
- COVID-19 Relief Efforts
During the pandemic, Eta worked tirelessly across Manipur’s vulnerable communities, distributing food aid, immunity boosters, and hygiene kits. The team also assisted the Government of Manipur in reaching over 100 patients, ensuring that help reached even the most remote corners during lockdowns.
- Celebrating Women Leaders
Since 2021, Eta has hosted the annual “Women of Substance, Manipur” event on International Women’s Day, recognizing women who have excelled in diverse fields—from education and arts to healthcare and public service. The event highlights the achievements of Manipuri women who have challenged barriers and inspired collective pride.
- Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution
Following the 2023 inter-community violence, Eta took a courageous stand by uniting women leaders from the Meitei, Kuki, Naga, and Muslim communities. The organization submitted a landmark memorandum to the Union and State governments on May 13, 2023, recommending:
An 8-member all-women, non-political Peace Commission
A Judicial Commission headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge
Though not fully implemented, Eta’s memorandum became a historic document in the movement for women-led peacebuilding in Manipur, affirming women’s role in reconciliation and justice.
- Relief and Rehabilitation for Displaced Persons
Eta has supported over 20 relief camps, delivering essential supplies such as food, mosquito nets, and medicines. Beyond immediate relief, the organization has introduced livelihood programs in 14 camps, focusing on sustainable income generation through:
Weaving, candle-making, tailoring, bakery, and incense production
Distribution of 47 looms, 19 sewing machines, and raw materials to support women’s work
The products made in these camps—handwoven cloth, moras, and agarbattis—have reached markets in Bangalore, the UK, and the USA, supported by the Manipuri diaspora.
- Mental Health and Counseling
Recognizing the psychological impact of displacement and violence, Eta provides ongoing counseling and mental health support for women and children. These sessions address trauma, grief, and anxiety, helping them rebuild emotional resilience and a sense of normalcy.
Why Eta Matters
What makes Eta exceptional is its integrity. Every donation directly supports beneficiaries. The organization runs without administrative overheads—its members volunteer their time, travel, and resources, ensuring that funds reach those who need them most.
Eta’s approach combines grassroots action with sustainable outcomes—educating women on their rights, helping them build livelihoods, and connecting their products to global markets. Beyond economics, Eta is healing the social fabric of Manipur by fostering unity among divided communities and empowering women to lead peace and progress.
As Eta joins hands with the NEI Rally 2026, it brings with it more than a message of empowerment—it brings lived proof that when women lead, communities heal. Eta’s participation underscores a shared belief that lasting peace and inclusive development in the Northeast will only be possible when women’s voices stand at the forefront of change.
