Silver jubilee
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 24 2014 :
Celebrating its silver jubilee, All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA) has pledged to continue fighting all the challenges which come on the way of Right to Life.
The association came into being on October 24, 1989 when the State began witnessing mass movements against AFSPA, forced arrest and disappearance of people, rape of women by security personnel on one hand and at the peak of armed secessionist movement on the other.
Strongly decrying the alleged atrocities meted out to the people of the State under the cover of AFSPA, the participants of the celebration pledged to stand collectively against annihilation of Right to Life.
Manipur University's School of Social Sciences former Dean Prof Ksh Bimola, AMAWOVA president Y Kunjarani and Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibee Apunba Manipur president L Memchoubi graced the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
AMAWOVA general secretary Ksh Sujata said that the association was formed to counter atrocities like unexplained arrest, killing, harassment, forced disappearance, rape and other forms of human rights violations.
Prof Ksh Bimola said that it is encouraging to see that a group of women have been working tirelessly for the cause of the people for 25 long years under their organisation known as AMAWOVA.
Saying that women in Manipuri society are surrounded by innumerable household chores, Prof Bimola said that members of AMAWOVA deserve commendations as they have been actively carrying on many social activities in addition to their household chores.
In her speech, Y Kunjarani Chanu said that human rights violation is not a new term in the State and people of the State have been reeling under different forms of atrocities.
AMAWOVA was formed to face these challenges, she said and added that the association aspires for restoring peace, development and tranquillity in the State.
She added that the association also wants to make Manipur, a State which respects life.
Kunjarani said that the objective of the association is to enable womenfolk to take active part in the movement for rooting out oppression and restoration of peace and tranquility.
Contending that AMAWOVA has been working in this regard since the past 25 years, Kunjarani said that it would continue in the future as well.
Social scientist Dhanabir Laishram also spoke at the occasion.
A souvenir was released at the function which was attended by representatives of various civil society organisations.