Source: The Sangai Express
Ukhrul, March 14, 2010:
A panel discussion programme on women's struggle was held today at Manipur Press Club under the aegis of the Ereipak Enat Chanura Loinashinlon (EECHAL).
The panel discussion programme was moderated by Dr Ch Sheelaramani, Reader at DM College of Arts.
The discussion programme was participated by Advocate Ngangom Tejkumar, Editor of the Ireibak daily Irengbam Arun, president of the Kuki Women Union Manipur Rose Mangshi Haokip, All Manipur Lady Advocates' Association secretary Advocate Laishram Rebeda, AIR programme executive Bijaya Yumlembam and GP Women's College Sociology Lecturer Dr Thokchom Umabati.
Giving key-note address of the programme EECHAL president Tongbram Ibemcha said women in Manipur have been living a life of subjugation and inferior status.
While Manipuri women have been struggling to cope with the patriarchal system, the advent of cell-phone service has brought about great changes in the characters and morality of many youngsters including both men and women.
Often, young girls end up being victims of the changed attitude and degenerated character.
Bijaya Yumlembam noted that crimes and violence committed against women is not a new phenomenon.
However, even as many women are enduring crime and violence of different forms, majority of them have little knowledge or moral courage to file complaints.
Even if some women came forward and filed complaints, police pay little attention to the complaints and showed little concern for the victims in many cases, Bijaya asserted.
Further, women victims often face embarrassing situations and even harassment in police stations due to lack of gender sensitivity on the part of police.
To avoid such extra victimisation of women victims, at least one women police cell should be opened in each district, Bijaya demanded.
Ngangom Tejkumar said that any man who seduced a girl with the false promise of marrying her can be fined and imprisoned up to 10 years under IPC Section 493. An unmarried woman cannot be taken in as second wife of a married man.
This is a crime from legal perspective, he said.
The panel discussion also made some recommendations regarding risky fallouts and unwanted incidents resulting from unmarried girls having affairs with married men.
The recommendations include imparting marriage-related education from class VIII onward, provision of a meeting place for teenagers and creating extensive awareness among young girls about precautionary measures they should take while dealing with boys.