CorCom shares thoughts on Women's Day
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 07 2024: The Coordinating Committee (CorCom) has extended greetings to the womenfolk of Manipur on the occasion of International Women's Day and called for concerted efforts to free women from all forms of discrimination and suppression.

In a statement issued by its publicity committee, CorCom acknowledged the contributions made by women in the culture, society, economy and civilisation.

This year's theme 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress' underscores importance of understanding the abilities of women, empowering them and making them participate in every sphere of life and society including administration, governance and economy.

The observance aims at upholding women's rights, bring about equal opportunities and privileges, and abolish all forms of violence against women and suppression of their rights and dignity.

It is worth looking into the lives and issues facing by women of Manipur (Kangleipak) on the occasion.

Even though International Women's Day was adopted in Europe in 1991, Manipur had the first Nupi Lan in 1904 and the second in 1939 against the British colonial regime.

Most importantly, the Meira Paibi movement began in the 1980s and since then, women of Manipur have been taking a stand against oppressive government and at the same time addressing social issues.

One important thing that differs the Meira Paibi movement of Manipur with the rest of the world's movement for women empowerment is the focus on the fight against colonial rulers while keeping the fight for women empowerment secondary.

The statement challenged the significance of voting and fundamental rights for the people who are in a movement for freedom.

It recalled how numbers of women were killed and their modesty violated and how numerous women had went missing and scores were widowed.

Such trend has been continuing since 1980 and the current crisis that erupted from May 3 also has similar issues.

CorCom also said that in contemporary world, colonialism has shifted from the earlier era while adding that today people are ruled by fascist governments in a seemingly democratic society.

Women of Manipur brought laurels for India at different international events including Asian Games and Olympics among others.

And yet, the Government of India, which Cor Com termed as "Delhi Bandit Government" has been suppressing women of Manipur.

Women activists are subjected to brutal assault including electric shock in a crisis situation they created.

Keeping this in view, it should be noted that observing the International Women's Day in Manipur is nothing like the celebration held in Europe and America, but is part of the struggle the people of Manipur have been facing, it stated.

Economic empowerment is one of the most crucial elements in women empowerment but the women of Ima Keithel are getting some meagre profit from big traders from outside.

It would not be right to say that there is no production in Manipur but the main problem is the lack of facilities for storage and preservation, which often leads to loss of capital for many farmers.

There are several women employees of the government but they are facing a tough time in managing their salary due to the financial burden they face to secure government job through bribes.

In the absence of proper labour policy, women labourers are witnessing worsening financial position despite hours of hard works daily.

Weavers are too facing the impact of monopoly by yarn traders.

Manual labours in the paddy fields have been replaced by machines through farm mechanisation.

Even though farm mechanisation is inevitable in a modern society, there should be an alternate space to accommodate the job loss and there is no such policy, the CorCom maintained.

It further claimed that election conducted under the guise of a democratic exercise is severely affecting the work culture.

The government, despite claiming of respecting women and empowering them, continues to ignore their demands and oppress them in times of public movement and protests.

Election in the region is an election of fascism under the guise of democracy.

There is neither freedom nor equality for the people and both are absent in the governance of India, the statement contended.

This year's theme 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress' shows the impact on women's economy by the current ethnic crisis in Manipur.

The state of women in this crisis situation is concerning.

Today, this crisis instigated by some powerful players has created a rift among different communities that have been co-existing peacefully for years.

Women are spending days and nights on the street and at the foothills.

The main market, which is the backbone of the society's economy, has been affected and in the absence of peace and tranquillity, dependency in terms of economy has increased.

Over 10,000 hectares of paddy land got wasted and the Government of India is simply observing the situation.

Considering all these factors, CorCom will continue to fight for equal rights for women and for a society free from oppression that upholds their dignity.

Without actual freedom, women of the society will continue to struggle and the fight is against the colonial rule, the statement said.

It also called for concerted efforts for freeing women from discrimination and suppression with a firm stand.

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