Ceaseless challenges stacked up for Manipuri women
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: December 03, 2022 -

SINCE time immemorial, Manipuri women have been donning the role of warriors in safeguard of geo-political interests and serving as torch bearers in the fight against social ills such as crime against women and children, substance abuse and violation of human rights in addition to contemporary women taking giant leaps in the field of sports, art and culture, and education.

In short, Manipuri women certainly have been the envy of many for their achievements in every aspect of life.

Observance of Nupi Lal on December 12 every year by government as well as organisations even at the locality level in remembrance of the fierceness displayed by women of Manipur against the then British rulers is not only a formality but to showcase the respect they have earned through sheer grit and sacrificial spirit.

Similar to the valour of the Nupi Lal martyrs, which will be cherished forever, contemporary Manipuri women are no less determined to take on elements inimical to the society as is evident from every single locality having women's groups called Meira Paibi which have been shouldering the responsibility to shield the vulnerable sections of the society from the menace of drugs and alcoholism.

Leaders of these women's organisations are fully aware that they cannot let the guards down for substance abuse remains one of the greatest threats, especially as Manipur has transformed into a drug producing state from being a transit route in the past, not to speak of the substantial number of youngsters abusing psychotropic drugs and growing population of liquor consumers.

The observance of World AIDS Day on Thursday might be a calendar global event but for Manipuri womenfolk the commemorative functions held widely across the state were a grim reminder that their task is not over yet.

It is exactly in acknowledgement of their role and resolute stand in fighting the social malaises that Governor La Ganesan called upon the Manipuri womenfolk to continue contributing their mite in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS infection in the state during his address on the occasion of World AIDS Day.

Regardless of the Governor and other dignitaries at the commemorative function heaping praises on Manipuri women, it could be safely stated that unless the government authorities stringently deal with drug peddlers, the drug lords in particular, then all efforts to prevent prevalence of HIV/AIDS will fail.

For instance, law enforcement agencies have been periodically seizing narcotic substances but there has been no significant reduction in the number of drug pushers.

Accepted that HIV infection is not widespread now compared to the late 1980s to mid-1990 but such a decline is mainly due to the World Health Organisation-initiated syringe exchange programme which different NGOs implemented in the state.

Ironically, the said programme, primarily aimed at checking spread of HIV has emboldened many addicts to inject heroin in the open unlike in the past when drug pushers kept their habit a secret.

Thus, the fight against HIV/AIDS or all social ills will reap the fruit only when government policies are complementary to efforts and activities of civil societies, including the womenfolk.