Imphal, March 25: Focusing on the theme of 'Let us stop violence against women and honour them', a State level seminar which will continue for three days began from today at the conference hall of Merciful English School (MES), Hangul.

The seminar is being organised by Integrated Rural Development Agency under the sponsorship of National Women Commission.

Member of Manipur State Commission for Women Laljaan Begum and president of All Manipur Meitei Pangal Welfare Association (AMMPWA) Prof MA Janab Khan inaugurated the seminar as chief guest and functional president respectively.

Secretary of Wide Angle Montu Ahanthem, secretary of South Eastern Rural Development Organisation (Sangaiyumpham) Md Amiruddin and president of All Thoubal District United Clubs' Organisation E Rajen Meetei were also present at the occasion as guests of honour.

In her address, Laljaan Begum observed that women need to differentiate between what is crime and what is violence in the context of any act of violence committed against them.

Before deciding to protest or seek legal assistance, the victim should think over whether the alleged crime had been committed in force or they themselves had encouraged it, Laljaan said, while citing some of the instances in which the women lodged complaints after the so called act of 'rape/molestation' had been committed with their own consent.

It is true that there has been a spurt in violence and crime against women in Manipur including domestic violence and deaths related to dowry cases, Laljaan said.

Therefore in order to save themselves from such violence, it is essential on the part of the women to be careful and understanding of their rights and corresponding duties clearly, she added.

Montu Ahanthem pointed out that besides domestic violence, women are also being subjected to other culturally and traditionally inherent violence.

In order to contain instances of violence committed on women in the society, it would be imperative to empower them financially as well as socially, he observed.

It is also essential to strengthen the Manipur State Women Commission, he said, while expressing serious concern over the increasing cases trafficking of young women on false promise of providing them jobs outside the State.

E Ratan maintained that prevailing conflicting situation is one of the major factors responsible for increase in cases of violence and crimes against women in Manipuri society.

So attention should also be given to resolve the conflict, he added.

Reading out a paper on the topic of 'Domestic violence in Manipur, on the first day of the seminar, Field Executive of Centre for Social Development Niranjan quoted that according to the National Family Health survey, 43 percent of the domestic violence in Manipur are reportedly from rural area as against 44 percent from urban area.

Poverty, alcoholism, practise of polygamy, greed for dowry, low literacy rate among the women are some of the main root causes of domestic violence in Manipur, he said.

Apart from enhancing the power and functioning of State Women Commission and Family Court, proper brought up and respect for women should be cultivated from within the family would help in bringing down cases of domestic violence to some extent, he said.

Efforts should also be made toward resolving the crisis in the family arising out of difference of opinion between man and woman in an amicable manner, he added.

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