Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 29:
To mark the 6th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and Irom Chanu Sharmila's hunger strike against human rights violations by Armed forces in Manipur under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, a three-day-event entitled 'Celebrating the work of peace women in solidarity with Sharmila' would be organised at the centenary hall of Manipur University from October 31 to November 2.It was on October 31, 2000 that UN Security Council passed its resolution number 1325, the first resolution ever passed by the Security Council that specifically addressed the impact of war on women and their contribution to conflict resolution and sustainable peace.
Three days later, following a massacre on November 2, 2000 at Malom, Sharmila went on a unique fast unto death protest demanding the repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Manipur.
To be organised with the main objective of showing solidarity to peace women and to connect the struggle that Sharmila stands for with the global struggle for peace and justice, the event is being jointly organised by Human Rights Alert (HRA), North East Network (NEN), ANHAD, South Asia Network of Gender Activist and Trainers (SANGAT), Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), Peace Women Across the Globe, KRITI, PEACE, INSAF, Aman Trust and WISCOMP and other local civil organisations.
Apart from having invited the three women from the North East who are among the 1000 peace women nominated for Nobel peace prize in 2005, Shabnam Hashmi from ANHAD, Delhi, who is also amongst the 1000 peace women will participate in the event.
Photo exhibition of the 1000 peace women from across the globe, film shows on peace women, panel discussion, book release, etc would be some of the highlights of the event.
The purpose of the photo exhibition is to make the daily peace building work of women around the world visible, valued and supported in order to create just, equitable and peaceful societies.
The photographs of the 1000 peace women who were nominated for the Nobel Peace prize, 2005 under the initiative of Peace Women Across the Globe Network will be displayed in the exhibition on A5 size cards along with short descriptions on their works and commitment for a just society.
While the film shows aims to promote the notion of holistic peace through capturing and connecting the struggles in Manipur and in the world through screening of various films.
The theme of the films to be screened would be on peace, justice and human rights and would go on for three days.
The panel discussion would also be facilitated on all three days on various topics like UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (on Oct 31), sharing by four Nobel Prize nominees (on Nov 1) and Sharmila: A messenger of peace (on Nov 2).