Mothers Day : In celebration of motherhood
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 12 , 2014 -

'The future destiny of the child is always the work of the mother', so says Napoleon Bonaparte and American poet William Rose Wallace wrote 'The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. These famous sayings describe most succinctly the momentous role and responsibility of mother in the family and the society at large.

Again there is another famous saying, 'Behind every successful man, there is a woman'.

The contribution of women in the history of world civilization right from the Stone Age up to the contemporary period is no lesser than men's contribution.

Yet, women's role, responsibility and contributions are always undermined, underestimated and in many instances went unacknowledged. Yes, there is a gap between womanhood and motherhood.

Obviously, motherhood carries much greater responsibility. Apart from all the duties of a mother which no father can fit in, motherhood demands all women to be compassionate, caring, dedicated and persevering.

The same thing applies to fathers but women are naturally endowed with such qualities like tenderness, compassion, etc.

Biologically speaking, all women can become mothers but in the real sense of the term not all women are bestowed with the qualities demanded by motherhood.

In another word, all mothers are women but all women are not mothers. Yet there is a multitude of commonness between women and mothers, the so called fairer or weaker sex; domination, suppression and exploitation by the 'stronger sex' being common experience.

In India, the land of goddesses and Devis', a woman's journey of life is strewn with thorns. In many States across the country, female foeticide is rampant. Dowry related death is almost a daily occurrence.

Rape and molestation happen every single minute. Notwithstanding all the legal systems and constitutional rights which put women at par with men theoretically, a large section of the country's female population lives under the mercy of males.

Is Manipur, the land of Lingthoingambi, Rani Gaidinliu and of course Irom Sharmila any exception?

Rape, murder and rape plus murder have become existential reality of Manipuri women.

One would certainly find it hard to swallow if this bitter truth is juxtaposed with the two famous Nupi Lans or the vibrant Meira Paibi movement.

Yet, we are proud for the vibrant Meira Paibi movement and the famous Nupi Lans. No one can deny women constitute a major force as protestors whether it is human rights violation including crimes against women or drug trafficking.

The state has witnessed immense powers of women in the field of protest. But does the male-dominated society ever acknowledge their struggles and contributions?

Even though more and more women are subjected to different forms of violence, the situation has never been studied through the lens of gender.

Between 1996 and 2012, there were more than 400 cases of rape and between 1999 and 2012, there were more than 1400 cases of crime against women in Manipur.

This included gang rape, molestation, torture, kidnapping and eve teasing, etc.

These disturbing figures are a clear manifestation that culture of violence and militaristic method of settling down issues in the society have spilled over from the military (both state and non-state actors) to the civilian population.

The issue of violence against women should be allowed to take central position within the broader framework of all human rights movements, at least for some period.

Women's agenda cannot be women exclusive. They are mothers of our society, and they have been acting as vanguards in many crucial phases of Manipur's existential history.

Let us first acknowledge and appreciate the struggle of Manipuri mothers and give all women, a dignified, respectful socio-political position otherwise we have no moral right to observe Mothers' Day.

Male chauvinism, hypocrisy and skullduggery should make way for women empowerment.