One Billion Rising campaign
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 14 2013: As part of the global observance of 'One Billion Rising' volunteers of different NGOs operating in Manipur today staged street-plays, organised awareness campaigns and mass singing, formed human chain in the State and performed dances, at various locations.

A part of the global campaign to highlight all forms of violence against women, the observance called 'One billion rising' refers to the 'one billion women who are survivors of abuse' .

The campaign is said to have been started by playwright and activist Eve Ensler (known for her play The Vagina Monologues) against all forms of "sexual abuse" .

One Rising: The placards say it all

The campaign was simultaneously held in 200 other countries also.

At Palace Gate, near City Convention Centre, Forum for Indigenous Perspective and Action, Women in Governance, CORE, HRA, Oriental Pumpkin Events & Communique, Manipur Cycle Club, Wol Media and Ereima Gender Empowerment and Research Centre observed the event while at Wall United Youth Club, Wangkhei Angom Leikai the campaign was organised by United NGOs Mission Manipur with NEDF, CSD, WAD, NLF, NE Helpline, SADO, LCF, WES, MNP+, CWO, UDWA, EEMA, RLP, CoNE, IRDC, Watch Group, COWF, SSG, CNPW, ATWO, KCLWDA and MBSCM as the collaborators.

Women as well as human rights activists, who spoke on the occasion, highlighted that out of the global trend of 'one in three women raped or beaten in her lifetime', North east recorded 13,308 incidence of crime against women according to report of the national Crime Records Bureau 2011, with 217 of the cases happening in Manipur.

Noting vulnerability of North women in Indian metropolitan cities, they also lamented that Manipur being one of the most conflict-ridden States in India, women and children continue to suffer the most with about 300 women losing their spouses as a result of armed violence in the said year.

Citing newspaper report with regard to 269 cases of violence against women in between January and October 2012, they regretted that inspite of intense effort and awareness campaign against gender discrimination there is still no sign of decline in crime against women.

Calling for more concerted effort by all concerned to curb all forms of crime against women, including domestic violence, abuse and harassment at public places and conflict-affliction, they also cited delayed delivery of justice, poor economic condition and imposition of the controversial Armed Forces (special Powers) Act 1958 as some of the factors fuelling crime against women in Manipur.

At Classic Hotel, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and North East India Women Initiative for Peace jointly organised a meeting on the theme 'Strategizing to End Violence Against Women in Manipur' as a part of the global observance.

Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur and National Federation of Indian Women also joined the observance.