Imphal, December 11: The valedictory function of the International 15th annual 16 days of activism against gender violence also known as the Fortnight campaign to end violence against women organised by Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) was held at MDU Hall, Yaiskul Police Lane, Imphal here today.

First Class Judicial Magistrate Nautuneshwari Devi was chief guest and State Programme Officer of ICDS Ranjana Manoharmayum, Deputy Director TI MACS Dr Manikanta were guests of honour of the function presided over by MNP+ president L Deepak Singh.

The staff artistes of Song and Drama Division, Ministry of Broadcasting and Information, Imphal Centre presented songs on the theme of discrimination towards women and also performed a short play on the theme of 'Violence against women living with HIV/AIDS'.

The main objective of the campaign which was kicked off on November 30 at Kuki Inn, Old Lambulane are to raise consciousness of general masses about issues of people living with HIV and AIDS with particular emphasis on issues and concerns of women and children and the State's response to it, to highlight issues of violence against women with special emphasis on their vulnerability to HIV infection due to various forms to violence they suffer from, to make women especially those living with HIV and AIDS aware of their rights so that they can also resist violation of their rights and to identify common key issues and collectively develop action plan to respond to these issues.

During the campaign, District Level Networks of MNP+ launched a series of events in various districts from December 1 to 9 in the form of rallies, poster campaign, interactive meeting with stakeholders, awareness programmes on violence against women and women's rights, concerts, etc.

Issues of women living with HIV/AIDS (WLWA) were identified from the districts and recommendation for the same drawn.

These were consolidated and deliberated upon on the closing day with various stakeholders.

The agreed upon issues of women living with HIV/AIDS are denial of health care, denial of entitlements and legal rights, denial of information on sexual and reproductive health, denial of right to proper counselling and right to reproductive choices, discrimination against WLWA and denial of access to right to education and accentuating vulnerability of girl child and denial of life to dignity.

Some of the recommendations include to promote women living with HIV and AIDS access to care, support and free treatment, as well as primary, reproductive and sexual health services including quality and gender-sensitive counselling, to ensure greater involvement and representation of WLWA at all decision making levels as well as in the formulation of policies and programme related to HIV positive women and to urge for prompt and comprehensive enfor-cement of laws of women's rights to inheritance, custody, property and maintenance apart from reviewing gender biased laws.

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