Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 30 2009:
Cases of domestic violence have been rising in Manipur, said Chairperson of the State Commission for Women, Dr Ch Jamini.
Dr Jamini was speaking at the release function of a book titled Protection of Women from Domestic Violence and Stories of Some Famous Women at Manipur Press Club here today.
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence, was translated into Manipuri by Angomcha Araba and published by Kanglei Chanura Chaokhat Lamjing Lup (Kangleichal).
The book has some certain chapters about the biographies of some famous women.
Speaking as chief guest at the book release function, Dr Ch Jamini said that cases of harassment and violence against women within families have been increasing.
Both educated and uneducated women are facing harassments of different forms.
The case is worse with uneducated women.
Even as they are at the receiving end of domestic violence for years, they don't have the courage to disclose their experience, for they are not literate nor economically independent.
However, the number of women lodging complaints for justice has also risen with the establishment of the Women's Commission and dissemination of awareness about women's rights, Dr Jamini said.
With the rise in the number of widows, whose husbands died of AIDS, and the emergence of a large section of youth addicted to drugs, cases of domestic violence have also been rising, she said.
Women who have lost their husbands to AIDS are seldom welcome at their parental homes.
Spinsters are also not always treated well by their brothers.
Although women are legally entitled to inherit the properties of their parents just as their brothers, very few women make claims on the properties of their parents, Dr Jamini further observed.In the back drop of such situation, the Manipuri translation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act would go a long a way in creating awareness among the womenfolk about their rights, she noted.
Earlier giving key-note address of the function, general secretary Kangleichal Tamphatombi said that a large number of women have been enduring domestic violence over the years.
Victims of domestic violence are always shadowed by fear, anxiety and trauma, she said.
The book release function was graced by Kangleichal president Thounaojam Ayangleima as president and member of the Manipur Human Rights Commission RK Rajendra as guest of honour.
Observing that women being biologically weaker than men and less educated, Rajendra observed women were often subjected to harassments and violence within families.
He also highlighted the importance of the Manipuri translation of the Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act 2005 .
Other speakers remarked that resorting to the Act would be great boon to women.
However, they also cautioned that utilising the Act with a wrong perspective or misplaced notion would be more harmful.