Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 28 2009:
A day-long seminar on violence against women was organised by Foundation for Social Development Organisation, Sangaiprou at State Guest House, Sanjenthong here today.
The inaugural function of the seminar was attended by retired District Session Judge C Upendra Singh as chief guest, retired Senior Grade Lecturer S Tikendra as guest of honour and Superintendent of Nagaland Post Office U Basumatari as functional president.
Delivering the key note address, secretary of Foundation for Social Development Organisation Gojendro Urikhimbam pointed out that violence against women has been on the rise in Manipur.
Violence against women can in various forms ranging from insidious remarks to discriminatory attitude to cause mental suffering to actual physical abuse like rape, harassment, torture, trafficking and killing, Gojendro explained.
Apart from gender discrimination, women in Manipur are also suffering under the impact of the ongoing armed conflict, he added.
In his address as chief guest of the function, C Upendra observed starting right from the family, violence against women has been going on since time immemorial and women are still being discriminated upon the basis of their sex till today.
If such discriminations continued in the society, there can be no progress, he said, adding that women should also understand their role and responsible in the society and not misuse the laws enacted to protect their rights and privileges.
The technical session of the seminar conducted with C Upendra as the moderator, M Ranjana Devi of Social Welfare Department presented paper on 'The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005', SP of Imphal East District Th Radheshyam on 'Police-Public Relations', advocate Ng Tejkumar on 'Gender rights in the context of armed conflict in Manipur (arrest and defence)', retired Senior Grade Lecturer S Tikendra on 'The importance of codifying traditional laws while responding to gender injustice' and chairperson of Manipur State Commission for Women Dr Ch Jamini on 'Gender rights CESAW'.