Women should be able to say no: Macha Leima calls for more women in policy making institutions
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 21 2019: Manipuri Chanura Leishem Marup (Macha Leima) on Sunday celebrated its Golden Jubilee at Lamyanba Shanglen, palace compound, Imphal.

Speaking at the event as chief guest, founder secretary, Macha Leima, Khundongbam Ebetombi said that Manipuri Chanura Leishem Marup was established on April 21, 1969 .

In those days, 'women were mainly subjected to only household activities' .

Expressing that patriarchy was high at the time, she said that there was a trend - men would abduct girls they want to marry without their consent.

Eve teasing was common and was treated as quite a normal culture, she said.

"If a man touches the hands of a girl in public, she has lost all her dignity.

No other men would ask for her hand in marriage...

this was the condition of women in those days," she said.

"There was an increasing need for an organised women movement and organisation which would address the prevalent trend at the time.

There was a need for an all women organisation which would educate and bring changes to the perception on women in mainstream society.

Manipuri Chanura Leishem Marup (Macha Leima) was thus established in coordination with female student leaders of colleges and schools to bring about women empowerment," Ebetombi said.

"Macha Leima was formed to give voice to women.

Women should be able to say no to things they do not like.

Macha Leima is for women empowerment," she added.

Manipuri Chanura Leishem Marup (Macha Leima) celebrated its Golden Jubilee at Lamyanba Shanglen

When Macha Leima was first formed, its members faced difficulties and criticism for venturing out in open.

Women were confined within four walls of house.

It was a challenge that the women and girls took in those days to shape the present Macha Leima, Khundongbam Ebetombi said.

Now, people are very much aware of happenings around them and are well informed about their constitutional rights, she said.

Sexual assault, rape, murder and crime against women are increasing but, now women have doors they can approach to seek justice unlike the olden days, she said and added that Macha Leima has been fighting injustice and crime against women for decades.

Macha Leima has filed several RTIs and held series of legal awareness programmes in both rural and urban areas to inform women of the their legal rights.

The roles Macha Leima has been playing since its inception in the 60s can't be ignored and forgotten when one studies the evolution that has freed women from the shackles of beliefs and tradition that had kept women within four walls, Ebetombi asserted.

"Adequate representation of women in policy making institutions will further empower women," she said.

Haobam Sheityabati of Macha Leima in her key note address said that Macha Leima was formed to 'empower women to the fullest extent' .

Though history depicts Manipuri women as frontline warriors, they were living under the beliefs and tradition that bound them, she said.

After the formation of Macha Leima, a first ever seminar was held at Tamphasana Girls' Higher Secondary School in 1970 .

The next year, another seminar was held at GM Hall where many well educated and learned women and student leaders took part.

The seminar gave new vision and led to opening of many branches of Macha Leima to carry out its tasks, she said.

To improve economic condition of women, Macha Leima trained women and encouraged weaving.

In 1971, Macha Leima opened a stall at a mela in Mapal Kangjeibung to promote handlooms and other products, she informed.

In 1972, Manipuri Chanura Leishem Marup launched its tri-annual magazine "Macha Leima" and established Macha Leima school at Yaiskul Janmasthan Mandap to educate children.

On December 12, 1973, Macha Leima first started observing "Nupigi Numit" commemorating 2nd Nupi Lan of 1939, she said.

In 1974, Macha Leima expanded its reach by opening a branch at Cachar to reach out to Manipuris there.

The same year, Macha Leima stood against the killing of Rose of Ukhrul by the security forces.

In 1997, Macha Leima started a micro finance scheme, Manipur Chanura Chaokhat Marup (Macha Chamma) to improve economic condition of the women, she added recounting the achievements of the organisation.

Advisor Macha Leima, Huidrom Barkeinya, life member Yengkhom Roma and others attended the event.