Imphal, December 10 2010: Lessons on gender issues should be included in the school syllabus so that children can be made aware of these issues from an early age, noted woman writer Binapani Thokchom has suggested, while drawing the attention of all concerned in this regard.

Attending a sharing session on 'women rights are human rights' organised by Women Action for Development (WAD) in connection with its ongoing International Fortnight Observation Protesting Violence Against Women at the auditorium of Manipur Film Development Corporation here today as one of the presidium members, Binapani said that making the children aware of gender issues from an early age is essential.

However, there are no lesson on gender related issues in the present school syllabus of Manipur.

This is unfortunate, she observed.

Binapani said that when woman was created by God, her physical strength was not strong enough.

But she has been given intellect no less than any man.

So, man and woman should be considered same and it is against the law to perpetuate violence against women.

She exhorted that just as the Government accepted inclusion of lesson on HIV/AIDS in school syllabus after more than 5/6 years of demand, all the organisations working in the field should start putting pressures on the Government for inclusion of gender issues in the school syllabus.

Medical Officer of Accident and Trauma Centre, JNIMS Dr Daya Longjam, who was also one of the presidium members, explained that violence against women is categorised into two.

First is physical violence and the second is mental violence.

Physical violence may be over with the passage of time.

But the mental violence may become a lifelong affliction if not treated in early stage and this would have its effect on the entire well being of the victim, Dr Daya pointed out.

Dr Daya also called upon all such victims to speak out and seek the advice and assistance of all those who can help them.film maker Makhon Mani Mongsaba noted that crime against women has been on the rise.

Burning of daughter-in laws by their motherinlaws for not bringing enough which we used to hear in other States is now becoming a reality in Manipuri society.

This should be serious concern to all.

He also endorsed inclusion of gender issues in school syllabus for as to encourage mutual understanding between the young boys and the girls.

He said that this may take time but an effort should be made and exert pressures on the Govt and its related Dept to formulate a draft policy in this regard.

Internal Consultant of United NGOs Mission, Manipur OJ Meetei, who was also attended the sharing session as one of the presidium members, pointed out that there is no discrimination between man and woman in accordance to the Indian Constitution and equal rights and opportunities are being given.

But women are being deprived of all these Constitutional provisions in the society.

So, concerted effort should be made to ensure the due rights of the women in the society.

Earlier, delivering the key note address, secretary of WAD Subita Mangsatabam observed that it is more important to know how women victims of violence fought back and lead normal life instead of allowing to end their lives and the sharing session was being facilitated so help in highlighting this issue through various medium like film, Shumang Leela, Drama, etc.

Many noted film makers, artistes and columnists were also present at the occasion during which women victims of violence narrated their accounts.

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