'16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence' launched
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 25 2025: Joining the rest of the world, the Women Action For Development (WAD) has launched the "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence" campaign under the theme, "Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls" .

The "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence" is a global campaign running annually from November 25 to December 10, ending on International Human Rights Day.

As per a release issued by WAD, the organisation has been participating in this international event every year in order to end violence against women and girls in Manipur.

This year, the campaign focuses on one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse: digital violence against women and girls.

The global theme, "Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls", highlights the pressing need to combat online abuse, privacy violations, cyber harassment, and exploitation that women and girls encounter globally.

During the campaign, WAD will be organising a series of events protesting the rampant rise of crimes against women and girls in the State.

WAD mentioned that violence against women is a major public health and human rights crisis, affecting almost one in three women in their lifetime.

The risks increase even further in contexts of humanitarian crises, climate-vulnerable settings, and poverty.

WAD highlighted that many internally displaced women and minors residing in relief camps are experiencing insecurity due to poor living conditions and lack of basic amenities.

Inadequate sanitation facilities in relief camps has also worsened the hardships faced by women and girls.

The organisation also pointed out that numerous reports from human rights organisations and media outlets have confirmed that the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur has intensified various forms of violence against women and children.

Stating that these incidents, including sexual assault, rape, and psychological abuse, have become alarmingly frequent, WAD called on authorities to take immediate and decisive action, conduct robust and timely investigations into acts of violence, and ensure accountability for perpetrators.

WAD also informed that as per various local newspaper reports, a total of 98 cases of violence against women and children were reported between January and October, 2025.These included 9 cases of rape, 15 murders, 7 suicides, 4 suspicious deaths, 18 molestations, 12 missing cases, 8 assaults (POCSO) and 4 delivery-related deaths, along with several cases of attempted rape, medical negligence and trafficking.

WAD further appealed to the Governor, authorities concerned and CSOs to recognize women's rights as human rights and take decisive action to end violence against women in the State.

Meanwhile, United Women Rights Defenders (UWRD) has announced that it will be organising a series of events as part of the global campaign "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence" to raise awareness, call for action, and promote prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.

Comment