The phenomenon of women's empowerment has attracted massive attention in recent years. So much has been heard and so much have been done to uplift women socially, politically, economically and culturally, all over the world.

Indeed, women's empowerment has become a global issue and an essential factor for the development of a family, a society and a nation at large. Realizing the growing significance of empowering women, many measures and policies have been formulated and adopted at different levels by the UN, Government, non-government organizations and individuals in almost every country.

The United Nations declared 1975-1985 as the Decade for Women's Development, Equality and Empowerment. The Government of India declared 2001 as Women' s Empowerment Year. India is signatory to the Mexico's Plan of Action (1975), UN Conference at Nairobi (1985), Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). Again, the Seventh Plan (1985-90) emphasized the need for gender equality and empowerment.

The Eight Five-Year Plan (1992-97) also focused on empowering women, especially at the grassroots level. The Ninth Five-Year Plan (1995-2000) adopted a strategy of Women's component plan. The Tenth Plan (2002-2007) Approach aims at empowering women through translating the recently adopted National Policy for empowerment of women (2001) into an accomplishment. A National Plan of Action to operationalise the National Policy for the Empowerment of women has been drafted. The Plan of Action contains concrete action points and measurable goals to be achieved by the year 2010 in all spheres of activities.

The Department of Women and Child Development has taken the initiative of formalizing the concept of “Gender Mainstreaming” and is currently focusing on four areas for the empowerment of women, namely, Food and Nutrition Security and Employment Guarantee, Water and Sanitation, Adequate Health Facilities and Asset Base for Women (land, home, livestock etc.).

Protective legislations for women's welfare such as Bill on prevention of sexual harassment of women at work place, bill to provide compulsory registration of marriages, rules under the Protection of Women from domestic violence Act, 2005, Draft Scheme for relief and rehabilitation of victims of rape, reviewing of Dowry Prohibition Act., 1961 etc. are being considered for implementation.

Despite the several decrees and laws passed for the protection of women, India's record in the gender issue is utterly depressing. Women continue to suffer from the gamut of discrimination, abuse, violence and poverty, the pressure of poverty even compelled her to sell her body.

We have seen an increasing number of children being sold and women in prostitution as means of survival for their families throughout the country. Increased poverty, joblessness, vulnerability, dependence and insecurity caused by globalization policies have also worsened the bargai-ning capacity of women. The comodifications of women's bodies through a million images in different sections of the media (including “cybersex”) also lead to increased violence against women.

In 2002 and 2003 there were 2,80,0398 registered cases of rape, 65,659 cases of molestation. However, the average rate of convictions in cases of violence against women is below 15 percent. (AIDW A, 2002). It confirms the fact that women are mostly affected by profound economic, political and cultural changes going on in India, during the last one and half decade or so, under the name of globalization.

Manipur is not an exception from these tragedies concerning women. The protective shield for women against violence and crime present a contemptible sight. The present state of conflict situation has also compounded the problem. Increasing crime against women is an ever increasing problem in Manipur and the problem has been soaring higher and higher.

Rape, molestation, kidnapping, threats, intimidation, cheating on the pretext of marriage proposals and job opportunities and various types of verbal, sexual harassments and abuse of women including eve-teasing are common examples. The print and electronic media are other factors that seriously influence crime and violence against women. It reflects the underlying belief that violence against women is a routine feature of daily life and does not require serious attention.

According to the latest report of the National Family Health Survey (2005-2006) conducted in 22 States of lndia, Manipur stands 3rd place with a record of 43.9%, in the rate of domestic violence against women. Rajasthan records 46.3% and Madhya Pradesh 45.8 % and are placed in the first and second place respectively. Manipuri women's response to questions of domestic violence and injustice is disturbingly high which signals the growing rate of atrocities women are subjected to.

The emotional and physical restraints for women, the control of freedom of movement and speech, the verbal and physical abu-ses and countless other cruelties against women are increasing by the day. As per the report of Government of Manipur 2006, between 1999 and 2005, there were 1206 crimes against women of Manipur. During this period, there were 102 cases of rape, 391 kidnapping and 174 cases of molestation. The state is also witnessing an increased number of women in prostitution as a means of survival for their families.

Each year hundreds of girls are exposed into the illegal commercial sex market. The number of commercial sex workers in Manipur stands at 9000 (Dr. Suresh, Th. 2006). Once the flesh trade is legalized in Manipur, the outcome will be dangerous and as such women's plight in such a changing scenario is totally grim.

It is a well known fact that wherever there is inequality, more poverty in households, and wherever there is growing unemployment, then the main burden of it is borne by women. A woman of today where she has no guaranteed work accepts any kind of work for salary far below the minimum wages and in some cases on worse terms. Again, when economic vulnerability increases, the degree of abuse, whether it is sexual abuse or abuse of women dignity - all these factors lead to an increase in violence against women.

Till the end of 2006, the state of unemployment in Manipur presented a whopping figure of 5,48,704 educated youths of the state who are officially unemployed. Among them, nearly 1,60,000 are women. It has an adverse impact on rural economy. Number of poor rural household in Manipur stood at 2,46,980 out of the total 3,65,670 or 68 percent. (Dainik Sanbad, 2001).

The situation has pushed many farmers into the ranks of agricultural labourers. During the era of globalization (between 1991 & 2001) the number of agricultural labourers of the state increased from 47,350 to 1,20,991 making the condition far more difficult for them to get jobs.

Quite interestingly, the same report of the National Family Health Survey (2005-2006) reveals a paradoxical situation whe- rein the rate of women in Manipur involved in family decision making accounts for 85 %.

The general consensus among our menfolk then is that if the number of women's involvement in family decision making is so strong, there can be no violence against women as is claimed. Their question is how could a maltreated woman be so significant as to take major decisions in the family?

What we have to remember here is that Manipuri women fit the portrayal of what is called 'victimization of the victim'. Our women have been the victims of the impact of various causes of violence viz poverty, divorce, judicial separation, conflict, status quo, alcoholism, drug abuse, economic disparity, unequal power equations etc.

Yet the strong sense of subsistence and survival compels them to be the source of sustenance for their families. There is no economic, political or social empowerment of women in the true sense in our state, yet these women go through multiple struggles in terms of their family, the society and the nation.

At every level and at every stage the participation of these women cannot be ignored. The range of work they do exceed the task of men which include household chores such as cooking, washing, nurturing the children, besides agricultural works, handloom industries, women construction workers, etc. Infact there is no single place today, where a woman's participation is not crucial be it politics, entrepreneurial undertakings or societal activities.

Nupi Keithel is an exclusive revelation of the dynamic qualities of Manipuri women. The women's market is the lifeline of Manipur's economy. However, it is not only a place for daily business transaction but a hub for these women where they pool resources for major social, political and economic events of the state that they partake.

Most of the meira paibis or the women torch bearers are the same women vendors of this market and their role in the economic, social and political matters of the state is incredible. Their fights and struggles till date have been nothing personal but for a common cause.

What is unfortunate is that despite such vitality of our women, the brunt of all misfortune and hardship is borne by them. They have not been given their due recognition for all that they are worth which is why the women of our state still suffer from copious crimes and violence.

Again, to make matters grave, most men in Manipur accept that women should be home-bound and more often than not they misinterpret freedom of women. This puts them often in a baffled and contradictory situation where on one hand they are restricted from being gregarious and free and on the other hand, they are obliged to go out and work to make both ends meet.

The need of the hour is - first and foremost, unity among the womenfolk. It is of utmost importance for all the women to unanimously realize their rights and privileges in the society and state and to encourage and support their cause. Once the women achieve this peaceful accord and form a fraternity the course to their emancipation will be a judicious path.

Awareness among both men and women on the protection of rights and issues concerning women is another key remedial factor. Women alone cannot bring absolute eradication of women aggression. Men should be equally responsible pertaining to the problems concerning women. The perpetrator of violence and crime against women should be made aware of his violations and the subsequent penalties.

Both men and women should be equally educated about the use and misuse of women and women should be alerted and encouraged to stand up for their rightful claims in every sphere.

The next important thing is for the Government policy makers, planners, administrators and those agencies and NGOs, to formulate feasible policy measures and programmes to protect women against subjecting them as mere objects. There is an urgent need to recognize women's contribution in the socio-economic and political development of our state and subsequently legalize their commendable roles and give them enough room for expansion.

Adequate opportunity for women which include employment facilities, equal participation in social, political and economic sphere, fair and equal trials, and literacy programmes for women etc. With this done, we can envisage a society based on equality and mutual respect and a society with less violence and crimes against women.

The formation of the Manipur State Commission for Women is a laudable initiative of the State Government to help redress grievances of women. A long cherished dream of women has materialized and women have been provided a long deprived space with the establishment of the Commission.

This is also anticipated to serve as the window for expressing their anguish, which will help bring some respite among the suffering women. However, the Commission's present state of affairs reflects an otherwise picture. With the State Government's lack of patronage and downbeat attitude one wonders as to how far the Commission will survive. This Commission apparently looks like a deceptive manifestation of the State Government's approach towards women.

Going along the same tune, the Chairperson, Dr. Sh. Jamini herself laments that the Commission is nothing but a Sham! (Poknapham, 19th January, 2007). She lashes out on the inactive authority delegated to her as a Chairperson, the inadequate provisions and infrastructure and their paralytic position without any legal authority, despite their enthusiasm and fervour to help solve the problems of Manipuri women.

She further recounts that on comparing the condition of the Manipur State Commission for Women and the National Women Commission, Delhi, the situation of our Commission is such a pity that they are compelled to wonder if the Government is not holding three aged women (Dr. Sh. Jamini, Chairperson, Lalzam Begum and Lingzaneng Gangte, members) in the name of a Commission, hostage in a shady room and left them to the mercy of fate. This situation is yet another evidence of the inefficient legal and constitutional remedies.

Therefore, to help diminish domestic violence and to empower women economically, socially and politically, it is necessary for the policy makers to realize that mere reforms and committees for women are not sufficient. These agencies should be urged to devise policy measures for a major transformation of the existing social system into one that would enable a woman citizen to live a life free from domestic violence and crime.

The cosmetic empowerment of women should once and for all be replaced by effective, viable and realistic actions.