Imphal, December 13 2009: The International Fortnight Observation Protesting Violence Against Women observed in all the nine districts of Manipur in the last 17 days concluded today at the conference of Hotel Tampha.

The main feature of the concluding function was distribution of prizes to inners of debating competition, painting competition, slogan competition etc organised as parts of the fortnight observance.

The concluding function was graced by former Secretary (Law) L Ibomcha as chief guest and executive secretary of Manipur Voluntary Health Association N Sarat as president.

Former Principal of Manipur College L Sadananda, consultant of United NGOs Mission OJ Meitei were guests of honour at the function.

Speaking at the occasion, L Ibomcha said that the origin of violence against women was the patriarchal system of society.

In addition to the patriarchal system, problems of drug abuse, alcoholism, ethnic violence and armed conflict witnesses in Manipur have been multiplying cases of violence against women.

Quoting the State DGP that 290 people were killed in encounters between January and October this year, Ibomcha said that around of 200 of these slain persons were married men having children.

The sudden death of men who were the mainstay of their households became causes of violence to their wives and children.

Of the various types of violence committed against women, women suffering from TB or HIV have been enduring the worst forms of violence, N Sarat said.

The function culminated with distribution of prizes to winners of several competitions held during the fortnight observance.

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