By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: On the occasion of its 21st Foundation Day on Thursday, SAN-KER Nursing Home organised a seminar on domestic violence, an issue normally considered “personal” and private. The NFHS survey of 2005 showed Meghalaya as the State with the highest incidence of domestic violence.
In his address, Dr. Sandi Syiem, Founder, SAN-KER Nursing Home expressed concern about the large incidence of teenage pregnancies in Meghalaya and its ramifications such as insecure relationships, girls having to drop out of school, abandonment by the partner etc which all add to a traumatic future for the woman.
Dr Syiem advocated mass awareness about the illegality of girls being married below the age of 18 years and men below 21 years. He asked whether the laws could be strictly implemented to prevent premature marriages.
Answering his queries, Dr Fenella Nonglait, a legal expert said the courts cannot take suo-moto action on such cases but if there is a complaint from a third party, the courts would take cognizance and the man would be fined an amount of Rs one lakh for marrying a girl who is under-aged.
Ms Nonglait informed that on April 4th this year, the Minister for Social Welfare, JA Lyngdoh had announced that Child Marriage Protection Officers had been appointed to enforce the Child Marriage Restraint Act.
On the issue of domestic violence Dr Nonglait said recently Protection Officers who are also the District Social Welfare Officers have been notified and empowered to look at complaints of domestic violence. The Deputy Commissioners of all districts have also appointed executive magistrates to give protection orders to victims of domestic violence. She also informed that complaints of domestic violence or the ‘Domestic Incidence Report’ should be addressed to the District Social Welfare Officer and not as an FIR to the police.
Dr. Jasmine Lyngdoh ( clinical psychologist) said the mental health of a person largely depends on the environment in which he/she has grown. She added that domestic violence robs children of the resources they need to live normal, healthy lives. They grow up as adults with limited resources and miss out on emotional and social competencies.
While deliberating on a social worker’s approach to domestic violence Ms Farida Warjri, lecturer Social Work St Edmund’s College made an impassioned plea that society needs to break the culture of silence surrounding domestic violence. “We need to make the issue of domestic violence MY business,” Ms Warjri said while pointing out that a person who faces abuse as a child is bound to become violent in youth and adulthood.
Senior gynaecologist, Ganesh Das hospital, Dr Marina Shylla said that women’s inability to negotiate their reproductive rights is also a case of domestic violence. She said women could now go for birth control measures without their husband’s consent as tubectomy or the use of Copper-T is a woman’s fundamental right.
Others who spoke included Ms Darilyn Syiem, North East Network, Pastor Reuben Laloo, Director, Reach Shillong Ministries, Ms MV Laloo prosecuting officer Shillong Court who deals with cases of domestic violence. Ms Laloo advocated for Special Courts to be set up to deal with crimes against women as the trial is slow and conviction rate almost nil. Ms Laloo said most cases between tribals are transferred to the District Council where they simply pile up.
All who attended the seminar agreed that the issue of domestic violence can no longer be a private matter and that a task force be formed to tackle domestic violence more systematically and make it a talking point.