Self-determination essential for gender equality: CorCom
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 07 2022: While extending greetings on the occasion of International Women's Day, the Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of different UG organisations of Manipur, has said that the goal of gender equality can only be achieved in Manipur through self-determination.

In a statement, CorCom said that it is necessary to tell the whole world how women of Manipur are living in the conflict zone on the occasion of International Women's Day 2022, which is being observed under.the theme 'Gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow' .

The theme has been selected by the United Nations (UN) while underscoring the importance of gender equality for a better future and the UN is focusing on the increasing gender inequality around the globe.

After declaring March 8 as International Women's Day in 1975, the UN general assembly has been working towards elimination of all forms of discrimination against women in its subsequent conventions since December 18, 1979 .

Though the movement for liberty, equality and freedom began along with the 'enlightenment movement', women have been subjected to discrimination across the globe.

Women did not enjoy right to property and right to adult suffrage.

Even after developed countries like US recognised the right to vote for women in the early 20th Century, Afro-American women were denied the right for a long time and they got the right only in 1965.Women of Western South East Asia (WESEA) region has also been suffering the same fate facing the impact of caste discrimination, untouchability and racism associated with Hindu religion.

As a result of the expansionist nature of Hindu religion; culture, tradition and religion of indigenous people are often subjected to discrimination and suppression.

Women of the region gradually lost their language, customs, socio-economic status and role in administration while pushing them away from the mainstream.

Women played major role in administration and economy in sovereign WESEA nations like Manipur (Kangleipak) and they are the backbone of the market and society during war times.

Today, Manipur is experiencing dark phase after its market and administration have been engulfed by alien administration.

Earlier, there were no untouchability, pardah system and customs like Sati but introduction of such system pushed the women out of the public sphere.

Occasions like International Women's Day remind the importance of uplifting the status of women in the society but the people of WESEA region are living in a pitiable condition in the absence of self-determination and self-governance.

Manipur (Kangleipak) was annexed by India in 1949 by demolishing a democratically elected government violating all the international laws.

Shortly after the annexation, martial laws like Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 was imposed and since then the system has been suppressing the people of the region and their aspiration for freedom.

The Supreme Court of India had even accepted the fact that several fake encounters were carried out in Manipur and it is the women who are suffering the most from this oppression, the statement said.

Government of India has been imposing the martial law in WESEA region under Article 34 of its Constitution and attorney general of India stated in the Universal Periodic Review 2017 of the United Nations that AFSPA is imposed only in some select areas.

His statement clearly shows the outlook of the Government of India to the people of the region, which they claimed as theirs.

Considering this outlook, there is nothing to expect from the puppet government of Manipur, which is more or less a representative government of the Government of India.

In such a situation, a 'sustainable tomorrow' is still a far cry for the WESEA region.

The target of gender equality can never be achieved in a country like India, where only around 6 per cent of its rich citizens control 60 per cent of the GPD.

Besides, the capitalist mindset in the country sees women as a commodity.

Women are being brainwashed with materialistic greed and by keeping them far from work culture and self-reliance.

As such, gender equality cannot be possible without freedom.

The suppressed indigenous people are also in no condition to take part in the global fight against degradation of environment as the policies of the Government of India not only demolish the economy but also the natural environment.

The statement further said that New Delhi had sold the hydrocarbon reserve of Manipur (Kangleipak) available in Jiribam and Tamenglong to Jubilant Oil & Gas Private Limited in June 2010.As per the agreement, land area of 3850 square kilometres with 5000 billion cubic feet oil reserve has been handed over to the company.

This will not only drain the economy of Manipur but also severely affect the environment.

It is part of the corporatisation of the WESEA region to prey on the natural resources of Manipur.

Moreover, the government of India has been selling the hydro-electric energy produced from WESEA region by building several mega dams.

Most recently, a mega project of oil palm plantation is being taken up in the region.

The project will have huge environmental implications as one fully grown oil palm plant requires 200 litres of water on daily basis.

This project will derail the target of 'sustainable tomorrow' set by the United Nations and women population will face its direct impact as women are the major work force behind agriculture in Manipur.

UN's target of gender equality, free from biasness, stereotyping and discrimination can never be achieved in Manipur (Kangleipak), whose womenfolk shook the mighty British on two occasions, without political freedom and self-determination, the statement added.

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