Fortnight Observance Against Violence on Women Winds Up, TSE Scribe Feted
Need to break 'structural violence' mooted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 13 2012: Urgent need for to dismantle the 'structural violence' against women was stressed in the closing function of Fortnight Observance on Violence Against Women held at Lamyanba Shanglen today.

The observance which kick started on November 25 last was organised by Women Action for Development in collaboration with different NGOs, and civil bodies of nine districts of the State.

Speaking at the function, Associate Prof MC Arun of Manipur University said, different sorts of violence which are deep rooted in the structure of the society are the most serious forms of violence meted out to women.

Unfortunately, such violence are permitted by Manipuri society, he added.

Pointing out that Manipuri society provides more liberty to men, MC Arun opined that the culture and structure which offer extra power to men must be seriously deliberated as these are the root cause for the structural violence against women.

Taking an instance, MC Arun said, men are encouraged to practise polygamy with the popular saying, 'Nupa haibasidi chamagi mapuni' (Man is the master of 100 women) .

Sapam Aruna of TSE being feted at the closing function

On the other hand, women are expected to stay subservient to their men, he added.

This indicates, MC Arun said, that while women hardly get any opportunity to grow and progress, men have the privilege to enjoy 10 different opportunities.

Police modernisation process is in full swing and thus it should not be hard to book and give punishment to criminals who kill, rape, molest women.

However, it would remain as a herculean task to reduce or eradicate structural violence as it has become a deep rooted phenomena in Manipuri society, he said.

MC Arun said education is the best answer to the menace at hand and added inclusion of gender equality lessons in school text books is the need of the time.

Seven Sisters Post Imphal Correspondent, Rupachandra Yumnam, People's Chronicle Editor W Tiken, Manipur Network of Positive People Secretary General Salam Udita, United NGOs Mission Consultant O Jai Meetei were also present in the function.

In today's function, Thokchom Rockey of Naharolgi Thoudang and Sapam Aruna of The Sangai Express were feted with this year's Gender Journalist Award and Special Jury Award respectively.

Prizes for different competitions held during the 15-day observance were also distributed in the function.

In the song writing competition, Waikhom Bihari of Khongjom Mamang Leikai, Salam Tomba Meetei of Khurai Chingangbam Leikai and Laishram Priyananda of Yairipok Poireikhonjin got first, second and third prizes respectively.

Thongam Jingo of Yumnam Huidrom, K Bikramjit of Lilong Arapti and Ampui Laishram of Yairipok Kaina adjudged first, second and third prize winners in the slogan competition.

In the painting competition, Ksh Gopinath of BIM Higher Secondary School, M Sanatomba of Brighter Academy and Jackson Akoijam of NEES got first, second and third prizes respectively.

In the essay competition held for Thoubal district, Md Mubarak Ali of City Higher Secondary School, Prabin Heikrujam of City Higher Secondary School and Illiyas Chesabam of Brilliant Higher Secondary School won first, second and third prizes respectively.