Plights of widows deliberated on International Widows' Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 23 2021: A webinar for observance of International Widows' Day on this year's theme "Invisible Women, Invisible Problems" was organised by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Imphal West under the aegis and guidance of Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) on today.

Aribam Guneshwar Sharma, MJS, District and Sessions Judge, Imphal West cum Chairperson of DLSA, Imphal West and Y Somorjit Singh, MJS, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West cum Secretary of DLSA, Imphal West were attended the webinar along with Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs), Panel Advocates and related stakeholders such as officials from National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC), CSOs among others.

Laishram Rebeda Devi, Remand Advocate of DLSA Imphal West was the main resource person for the webinar.

The speaker spoke about the history behind the United Nations celebrating 23 June every year as the International widows' Day since 2011 to draw attention to the voices and experiences of widows and to galvanize the unique support that they need.

She also asserted on the importance of observing such a day to spread awareness about the sorrowful plight of many widows.

She continued that amid the armed conflicts, displacement and migration, and the COVID-19 pandemic and experience from past pandemics showed that widows are often denied inheritance rights, have their property grabbed after the death of a partner, and can face extreme stigma and discrimination, as perceived 'carriers' of disease.

The speaker also dwelled on the problems faced by widows in Manipur such as social stigmatisation, denial of rights, subjugation to physical and sexual violence, poverty, poor health etc.

She referred particularly to the many widows in Manipur left behind as a consequence of the deaths of many young men through armed conflicts and alleged extra judicial killings for which the widows continue to fight for justice.

The resource person highlighted the vital role MASLSA and DLSAs in organising such awareness campaigns and programmes.

She stressed that through the active contributions of various legal aid functionaries and institutions such as PLVs, Panel Lawyers and Legal Aid Clinics in the villages and localities, the awareness levels of people have seen much improvement compared to about a decade ago.

The general public may contact the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Imphal West for any legal related advice/counselling, for organising legal awareness campaigns and many other related services through the DLSA, Imphal West Front Office 24x7 Helpline no 6009904967 or through email at [email protected], added the statement.

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