Public campaign on VAW Nunghlung advocates dress code for women
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, November 28 2013: Chandel MLA St Nunghlung Victor Anal has opined that crime against women will somehow decline if the civil organisations impose certain dress codes for women.

He was speaking as the chief guest of the public campaign on violence against women at Mini Indoor Stadium, Japhou in Chandel District Headquarters as a part of worldwide observance of 16 days International Campaign on Violence Against Women, 2013 starting from Nov 25 to Dec 10 .

Speaking as the chief guest, St Nunghlung Victor said that recently violence and crime against women is rising not only in the State but also in other parts of the country too.

As such, he stressed on the need to curb such crime by joining hands together with the active participation of civil organisations at every level.

The programme was graced amongst others by E Priyokumar Singh SP Chandel and W Tonen Meitei, Chief Judicial Magistrate Chandel as the guests of honour, and Th Chittaranjan Singh DC Chandel as the functional president.

During the programme, booklets and posters relating to the campaign on violence against women was released, and memento were also presented to women leaders of different tribes.

And a charter of demands containing 8 points to end violence against women was also adopted during the programme.

Giving the keynote address, Dr Gina Shangkham said that the indigenous tribal communities who inhabited Chandel district have passed through different situations � politically, economically and socially.

Yet one fact remains the same that is 'patriachy' which is still being capitalised and upheld based on the notion of the society being patrilineal.

The status of women can be measured on qualitative as well as quantitative performance or achievements.

Looking at the society, it appears to be fine, but it is like a still water that runs deep with a lot of undercurrent, she said.

Few cases of on violence against women and girls in the district had hit the headlines but more are unreported, unshared and unheard which are more dangerous and cancerous as these affect the social fabric.

She also added that it is time to unearth, share and address the issues of taking up the ownership together and find the remedies to and these violations against women and girls in fact the humanity towards creating a just sustainable social atmosphere in the district.

The theme focuses on militarism as a creation and normalisation of a culture of fear that is supported by the use or threat of violence, aggression, as well as military intervention in response to political and social disputes or to enforce economic and political interests.

Also the 16 days campaign will focus on three priority areas while underlining the intersection of economic and social rights with militarism and gender-based violence, she added.

The programme was organised by All Tribal Women Organisation (ATWO) Chandel District in collaboration with REACH-M, CWG-DWC, WSDC, WWS, WFNEI, NWU (Chandel), KWHR (Chandel), UNI, RWCDO, ICDS (Chandel) under the theme "From peace in the home to peace in the world and let's challenge militarisation & end violence against women" .

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