Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 02 2010:
Women in their hundreds today marched down the streets in Ukhrul district headquarters to mark the International Fortnight Observation Protesting Violence against women and children.
Reports said that the rally organised jointly by the women bodies based in the district originated from two places, Hundung Junction and Kharamson Junction and converged at Tangkhul Ngana Long (TNL) ground where a meeting was held.
Around 1000 women from various places of the district took part the in the rally that started at 10 am.
Speakers in the meeting expressed concern over the increasing violence against women and children in the state in the last few years and said that there should be no politicization in responding to violence against women, no threats to individuals, groups or organizations who are working for the cause of the most deprived and marginalized population ie women and children.
While making an appeal to the state and non-state actors to stop violence against women the speakers also appealed to the state government to protect and secure lives in conformity with domestic and international laws.
In Manipur, while there has been no marked increase in violence against women, the current rate is still alarming.
According to a compiled report maintained by the Women Action for Development (WAD), at least 71 women were raped during the last six years, from January 2005 till September this year.
The year-wise report maintained by the body indicated 65 cases related with various crimes against women.
This year it is reported five women were victims of rape, 17 killed after torture, 12 committed suicide as a result of harassment meted out on them, two women burned with serious injuries and five were molested.
The period covered is from January to September 2010.Besides this, 24 women disappeared after leaving their homes unable to bear domestic or other violence against them.
As per the report, in the year 2005, there was a total of 117 cases of violence against women, 102 in 2006, 100 in 2007, 141 in 2008 and 143 in 2009.The figures have been compiled based on media reports.
It is believed that there are many such incidents which have not been reported to the media.
The analysis report observed that women are harassed at home and in the society.