Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 14:
Although there is no sanction for pre-marital sex in Manipur society, increase in such cases among the youngsters have become a cause of concern with many young girls becoming HIV positive, chief functionary of Meetei Leimarol Sinaisang MC Rita stated.
Speaking as a resource person during the one-day awareness camp held under the theme of 'Legal and Health issues with special emphasis on impact of conflict situation and AIDS on women' at Kalyan Bhavan, Kwakeithel today, Rita pointed out that it is through sexual route that more and more women are becoming HIV positive in Manipur and many of girls who have not yet passed class XII have unwittingly become HIV positive.
Rita, who has long years of working experience in the field of combating HIV/AIDS among Commercial Sex Workers in Manipur, further disclosed that the number of young boys and girls seeking help through toll free telephone number 1097 installed to impart knowledge on HIV/AIDS has also been on the rise.
"Even if we regard as healthy the fact that youngsters are becoming more sensitive to the issue, it also indicate rise in cases of premarital sex among the youths although there is no such sanction in Manipuri society," she remarked.
While observing that women are more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection and they should have thorough knowledge of the problem so as to protect themselves from getting infected with the killer virus, Rita noted that many hapless women whose male members of the families have been killed during ethnic conflicts in Manipur have landed in the fresh trade market as an easy source of earning income thereby exposing themselves to the risk of getting HIV/AIDS.
Though there is no designated red light area in Manipur, the conflicting situation in Manipur has also resulted many young widows to get into the into the fresh trade, she maintained.
However, this does not meant that all the unfortunate women are indulging in such immoral activities for survival, she hastened to add.
Sponsored by National Commission for Women, the inaugural function of the awareness camp organised under the aegis of Centre for Social Studies, Manipur was attended by retired Joint Director of Social Welfare Soibam Saratkumar Singh, Project Director of ICDS Cell, Social Welfare Ranjana Manoharmayum and Programme Co-ordinator (North East) of National Commission for Women Nandini Thokchom as president, chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
Faculty member of Political Science Department, Manipur University Dr Dhanabir Laishram and APP, Government of Manipur Ajitkumar Mutum were also among the resource persons who spoke during the camp.