Representation of women in Peace Negotiation Bill 2016 submitted to Parliament of India

13 December New Delhi

Representation of women in Peace Negotiation Bill 2016 submitted to Parliament of India

On the commemoration of historic Nupi Lan or Women's War of 1904 and 1939 held on 12 December at Constitution Club, Members of Parliament gave assurance to work to include history of Nupi Lan in history books, ensure women in decision making. Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network is also delighted to share successful submission of "Representation of Women in Peace Negotiations Bill, 2016" in Parliament of India to recognise stake of women in conflict and ensure peace negotiation maintain gender parity. No peace talks in Northeast without our women should be held.

Dr Thokchom Meinya, Member of Parliament, highlighted the severe problem of violence against women in the country and said that all governments wanted to put forward reservation of women in the Parliament. Reservation of women has been passed in the Panchayat Raj with women getting 33 per cent reservation. However, the same bill with 50 per cent reservation for women in legislative assemblies was passed in the Rajya Sabha and not in the Lok Sabha. The Manipur Government is fully committed to pass this bill if it is tabled in the Lok Sabha. Two bills given by CAFI regarding Protection of Women in disturbed areas and Representation of Women in Peace Negotiation Committee have been submitted in the Parliament, he further told.

Representation of women in Peace Negotiation Bill 2016 submitted to Parliament of India

Dr Thokchom Meinya was speaking on the commemoration of historic Nupi Lan and parliamentarians briefing. The event was conducted by Control Arms Foundation of India along with Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace at the Constitution Club, New Delhi.

Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, General Secretary, Control Arms Foundation of India, said that the objective of this event was to delve into the relevant issues of understanding Women, Peace and Security, Gender Based Violence and Diversity with the policy makers of India to come out with comprehensive laws for a gender just and egalitarian society. India signed UN convention on racial discrimination and it’s time for country to make an anti-racial law and adopt measures to end Gender Based Violence, she further said.

Nupi Lan –which means women’s war in Manipuri. It is a landmark event in the history of Manipur where the Manipuri women waged two historic struggles in 1904 and 1939. This was against mass exploitation and artificial famine triggered by the British. The movement contributed much to the making of Manipur as it sowed the seeds of economic and political reforms. Since then the day has been of immense importance and it has been observed to honour and remember the courage of Manipuri women who fought against the mighty British and the traders to ensure social and economic development of people.

The country has a population of 1.34 billion people out of which 48 per cent are women. Even though the Republic of India is premised upon Rule of Law which establishes basic Constitutional guarantees of Right to Life, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The social fabric of the country relegates women to the secondary status which has built a glass ceiling which prevents them from experiencing their basic Constitutional Rights. Harsh reality of life is such that every 22 minutes a woman is raped in the county. Participation of women in workforce has reduced from 35 per cent to 25 per cent. There are mere 12.5 per cent women in the Legislative Assembly. Budgetary allocation to women empowerment has also reduced to 49 per cent in the 2015-16 Annual Budget.

The event was attended by Members of Parliament, academicians, journalists, researchers and civil society representatives.