Crime against women deliberated
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 10, 2013:
A panel discussion programme on crime against women and children was held today at Irabot Bhavan under the aegis of Progressive Writers' Association.
Speaking at the programme, Dr Chinglen Maisnam lamented that the three lady MLAs could not even put up a proposal for gender budgeting.
He noted that crimes against women and children both at domestic level and outside the family have risen sharply.
During the past five years, 219 women were raped including 11 rape cases till June 30 this year.
According to the National Family Health Survey Phase III, domestic violence constitutes 44 per cent of the crimes against women.
Child sex ratio in the age group of 0-6 years is 1000:938.This sex ratio may be because of presence of unregulated health clinics in the State.
Absence of sound economic policy, high rate of unemployment and political non-intervention breed misery for all people but women and children are the worst affected, Chinglen said.
Manipur currently has three lady MLAs.
But it appears that they are ideologically inclined for women's welfare even they are females biologically.
Gender budgeting has not been introduced in Manipur till date and there is very little effort to introduce the same.
In the absence of gender budgeting policy, no meaningful relief and rehabilitation measures could be extended rape victims, victims of other crimes and women living with HIV.
Absence of urban street vendor policy and non-entitlement of property rights to men and women alike are some other factors for the increasing cases of violence against women.
To address this issue of crimes against women, gender budgeting as well as a sound economic policy are crucial, Chinglen asserted.
The Sangai Express columnist Ng Liklaileima Arambam observed that crimes and violence against women date back to time immemorial.
Many factors may be responsible for this continuous harassment and victimization of women but the pervading patriarchal system is the biggest factor.
Social activist M Sakhi asserted that crimes against women and children are sharply in Manipur because of the Government's sheer inefficacy.
Progressive Writers' Forum president Salam Tomba attributed the disturbing trend to degeneration in moral values and ethics.