IMPHAL, Mar 8: The Network of Women in Media, India needs to be strengthened and the women members need to come forward freely and openly to interact more often, share their views and ideas and broaden their network.These were some of the points discussed on the third day of the 7th Annual Meet of NWMI held at the Retreat House conference hall in Mantripukhri starting from March 5.Women journalists from various places discussed different issues, problems faced by them and the general situation in the places they belonged to, during the meet. They also sought means to solve their problems and were given suggestions and opinions by others.As for women journalists of Manipur, they are lagging behind as compared to the women journalists of the metros, they felt and promised to provide support to the women journalists of Manipur in every possible manner.Many renowned personalities and dignitaries were invited to the programme including Seram Mangi, ex-assistant editor of the AIR Imphal, Babloo Loitongbam of the Human Rights Alert, Dr. S Chengloi, vice chairman of the Kuki Movement for Human Rights, Grace Shotsang, president of the Naga Women Union Manipur along with other important dignitaries.Those present discussed the various problems faced by the people of Manipur like the issues of the Naga-Kuki conflict, problem of AFSPA, the way innocent citizens are harassed etc.A documentary film ‘Shadow lives’ by S Anjulika was shown at the function. The film is about a widow whose husband is innocent but is killed accidently under the AFSPA and depicts the struggle and sufferings of the widow.Later, the women journalists went to JN Hospital and waited there for the release of hunger striker Irom Sharmila to have a few words with her.