'Violence against women' observance concludes
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 05 2013 :
The valedictory function of the 'International Fortnight Observation Protesting Violence Against Women' was held today at the Keishampat Keisham Leikai conference hall of EEMA where a day-long discussion session on the subject of observance was also held.
The event was organised by District Women Committee (DWC), Imphal West under the sponsorship of UNMM.
As chief guest of the valedictory function, Member Secretary of Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) A Guneshwar Sharma stated that under the objective of helping the weaker section of the society, MSLSA had been providing legal service to the needy people at either nominal fee or free of cost.
Informing that among many cases pending in the court there are many which could be settled through out-of-court agreement between parties involved in it, he hinted that due of naivety of the common people there had been many instances wherein divorce cases hardly reaches the court.
Pointing out that as per Indian laws issues relating to matrimonial disputes should be settled through the Family Court, Guneshwar also regretted that some cases pertaining to crime against women are settled through monetary payment by one of the parties.
Even though such agreements do not amount to subjugating the legal system it would be more appropriate if the matter is settled through the court as the compensation amount entitled to estranged women would be more compatible than out-of-court settlements, highlighted the Member Secretary.
As resource persons of the event, Damdei Christian College lecturer Dr Priyadarshini Gangte deliberated on 'Role of Women in Society', Nambol L Sanoi College lecturer N Shreema Devi on 'Rights of Household Property Share of Women' and Assistant Director of Human Rights Law network advocate Premlata on 'Law of Women.
Earlier delivering the key-note address, DWC (IW) convenor S Radhapyari Devi conveyed that since November 25, the fortnight observances were held at all the districts of the State and during the said period protest demonstrations were organised whenever incidents of violence against women were reported.
Stating that seminars and workshops were also organised at different locations to spread awareness on women's rights and need to uphold/protect dignity of women, she also lamented that Government of Manipur did not take the initiative to tone celebration when even the Congress chief Sonia Gandhi abstained from celebrating certain important occasions in the wake of the recent Delhi gang-rape incident.
Such callousness of the State Government is an indication that the Manipuri womenfolk would have to shoulder the responsibility of protecting themselves from different forms of atrocities, Radhapyari opined.
ANUL (Bishnupur) president L Nganbi Devi and All Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation president Sitara Begum also attended the event as the functional president and guest of honour respectively.