State marches against violence on women
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 04 2009: Protesting violence against women and children in the society, a large number of people including victims coming from different parts of Manipur took out a solidarity march through Thoubal Bazar today.

Starting from YASTA ground, Thoubal, the solidarity march concluded at BASU ground where a public meeting was held to discuss issues to violence against women and children in the society and preventive measures that should be taken up in this regard.

The solidarity march as well as the public meeting was organised under the aegis of the Committee on the Campaign of Human Trafficking and Gender Violence in Manipur, Thoubal District unit as part of the ongoing International Fortnight Observation Protesting Violence Against Women.

Womenfolk staging a rally to denounce violence against women

During the protest march, the participants carried placards inscribed with slogans and demands like 'Book and punish the rapist', 'Establish women police cell', 'We demand effective implementation of Domestic Violence Act, 2005', 'Save your sister from all forms of violence', 'Set up women courts in all districts', 'Violence against women is a crime against humanity', 'Stop child abduction', ' Respect our sister, mother, wife', 'Allow children to learn and develop', 'Violence against women is a social problem', 'Promote girl child education', 'Lets commit and collectively demand to bring gender equality', 'Take care of widows', 'Recognise women's work and productivity', 'Don't use children during war crime', 'Include women in peace talks', 'Appoint qualified Gynae experts', etc.

The public meeting held after the solidarity march proceeded with Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Thoubal RK Memcha Devi as chief guest and National awardee N Lukhoi Singh as president.

Secretary of Village Development Committee, Khangabok Kh Khomei Singh; secretary of Women Action for Development Sobita Mangsatabam; retired principal of YK College, Wangjing Dr Moirangthem Balram Singh; retired lecturer of Thoubal College, Thoubal Dr Moirangthem Rajen and SDPO Thoubal Lanboi Haokip were also present at the occasion as guests of honour.

Delivering the key note address convenor of Thoubal district unit of the Committee L Mandir observed women all over the world have been subjected to different forms of violence since ancient time.

Such violence undermine the rights and dignity of women.

So the observance is being organised ensure the rights and dignity of the women who have always played a major role in bringing up children who are the future pillar of the society.

Speaking as one of the guests of honour, Sobita Mangsatabam observed that prevention of violence against women is all the more significant in an armed conflict situation like Manipur where women are bearing the brunt of the daily incidents of violence, drug problem and HIV/AIDS.

Today we need do a proper documentation on how many women have become widows, how they are surviving and how many children have dropped out of school as a fallout of the ongoing armed conflict, she added.

Many resource persons also spoke on the issues of violence against women in the society even as victims of such violence share their experiences at the occasion.