Call for peace in home for peace in world
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 25 2012:
To mitigate crime and violence against women in the State, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today called upon all the people to think of women including girl child as their own mothers and sisters.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the fortnight long "International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women" being organized by Women Action for Development (WAD) at the banquet hall of 1st Manipur Rifles here today, Gaikhangam observed that every girl child would become a mother one day.
So, exploitation of girl child should be stopped.
"Let us treat them equally and think women as our mothers", he exhorted.
The Deputy Chief Minister went on to observe that development of a society is measured on the equilibrium of treatment on women and girl child and their overall condition.
That is why various welfare schemes and programmes for girl child and women are being taken up by the Government.
So, the concerned departments need to sensitise the people on these schemes so as to ensure the benefits reach the targeted people.
At the same time, the public should also enquire about all these benefits at the concerned departments, he suggested.
During the inaugural function of the fortnight long observance, which was also attended by Minister of Social Welfare AK Mirabai, Director of Social Welfare G Seityabati and President of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) A Mobi, a number of women victims who had experienced various kinds of atrocities and violence in life gave their respective testimonies.
A report on the crimes and violence that took place in the state in different parts of the State in the current year so far was presented by WAD Secretary Sobita Mangsatabam on the occasion.
This year's edition of International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women is being observed under the theme of "From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let's Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women" .
On the other hand, under the aegis of Women in-Governance (W-in-G) an international campaign on 16 days Activism on Protesting Violence Against Women has begun from today.
Many personalities including President of Kuki Women Union Rose Mangshi, President of Naga Women Union Aram Pamei, Member Secretary of Manipur State Legal Services Authority A Guneshwor, SDPO of Kakching A Ghanashyam Sharma and film actress R.K Hemabati, etc were present during the inaugural function of the campaign which was held at Lamyanba Sanglen, Palace Compound here.
Speaking at the occasion, Guneshwor pointed out that although there are various Acts and Special safeguards for women in the Constitution of India, most of the women in the society are not taking the advantage of these constitutional provisions due to ignorance.
He appealed to all the people specially women victims to file cases and speak up for their rights.
Hemabati maintained that in any social set up, men and women have equal share of responsibilities.
However, social conventional norms and customs make women an inferior section of the society.
This misconception of inferiority has got fixed in the mind of the women that it would take time to clear this, and here education has an important role to play.
Rose Mangshi noted that around 30-40 years back rate of domestic violence was comparatively lesser in comparison to the present modernized society.
She contended that provisions of special rights and exercising of the same by women community is one such factors responsible for escalating domestic violence.
So, women should be aware about the pros and cons of such special rights.