State joins global campaign against violence on women
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 14 2013: Joining the global campaign by women calling for an end to violence as well as for justice and gender equality, hundreds of people from various walks of life turned out to take part in dance and show collective strength to the 'One Billion Rising, 2013' movement at two different places of Imphal today.�Getting the ball rolling, Forum for Indigenous Perspective & Action (FIFA), Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE), Women in Governance (WING), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Oriental Pumpkin Events and Communique, WOL Media, EREIMA Gender Empowerment and Resource Centre and the Manipur Cycle Club joined hands with many others in a multi-dimensional event that included ritual prayers, chanting, music, recitations, narrations and dancing to show collective resolve and strength, solidarity across borders and communities and reject gender based violence at Palace Compound here.

global campaign against violence on women

Women activists, who spoke on the occasion, expressed concern that in spite of various protests against gender based violence in Manipur, nothing much has changed towards the improvement of this situation.

The rising cases of rape, sexual abuse and harassment, torture and other forms of ill-treatment towards women all over the country is an attestation to the lack of real concerns, sincerity and efforts to improve the situation, they added.

On the other hand, United NGOs Mission (UNMM) in collaboration with 21 other NGOs in the State including WAD, NEDF, CSD, MLF, SADO, LCF, WEJ, RLP, IRDC, EEMA, Watch Group, COWF, SSG, CoNE, NE Helpline, CNPW, ATWO, MNP+, CWD, UWDA, KCLWDA and MBSCM, which are working for the cause of women empowerment also organized the 'One Billion Rising' campaign by organizing various events at the ground of Wall United Youth Club, Wangkhei Angom Leikai here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Sobita Mangsatabam, Co-convenor, Women's Committee of United NGOs Mission, Manipur, stated that 'One Billion Rising' is a global campaign by women, of women and for women.

The movement calls for an end to violence and justice and gender equality.

It's is a call for one billion women around the world to walk away from their homes, businesses and jobs and join together to dance in a show of collective strength.

The event is being held on the 15th anniversary of the V-day movement.

The word 'billion' refers to the one billion women who are survivors of abuse.

She expressed hope that today's campaign will naturally have a major impact in the movement to end violence against women and girls.

It may be noted here that 'One Billion Rising' campaign has been initiated by playwright and activist Eve Ensler, known for her play "The Vagina Monologues" and her organization V-Day, a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls.

According to Eve Ensler, V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations.

V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sex slavery.