From Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi: Several leading women organisations working for the strife torn Northeastersn region have formed a women’s network with the theme “Importance and Role of Women in Decision Making Forums Peace and Development.”
The organisations- Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network (MWGSN), North East India Women Initiative for Peace (NEIWIP) in partnership with Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) successfully organized a women’s network recently. On the formation day several speakers pointed out that in the Northeast women are first causality in any crime but are least consulted for any solution making process for which the network will work.
More than 50,000 lives have been lost in the violence in the region since over half a century, the speakers said. There are complex social political issues like struggle over natural resources, ethnic conflicts, illegal migration, displacement and social exclusion.
In Assam, there have been 14 bomb blasts since January to March, this year and 30 cases of bomb blasts between January and March 23 in Manipur. The conflict in Manipur turns 300 women into widows annually.
In another seemingly peaceful state of Sikkim, there were 54 cases of rape, 9 cases of dowry deaths and 10 cases of domestic abuse by husband or relative during 2011-2012. Mostly cases of domestic violence against women are not reported.
Women’s role remains weak and insecure in all social, political and economic activities in Northeast. According to UNICEF, Assam has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in India, 407/100,000 live births and Manipur has the second highest rate of domestic violence in the country.
The region has been facing the onslaught of multiple armed conflicts for many decades. The issues aggravated after the introduction of the Armed Forces Special Power Act, the speakers said.
The meeting commenced with a welcome speech by Ms Reena Mutum, State Coordinator, MWGSW, said that participation of womenfolk is the need of the hour because women from all age groups have been suffering in different ways in the society.
In the introductory speech was given by Ms Hazarimayum Jubita, Executive Director of Gender Development Initiative and Convener of Peace Core Team, Manipur explained the concept of UNSCR 1325 and the participation of women in decision making forums for peace and development in Northeast and the importance of strengthening of women’s network.
Ms. Lourembem Nganbi, Meira Paibi Leader , focused on the education of women and girl child. She stated that education is the basic and initial stage for the development of women in respect with decision making. Ms Sitara Begum, Muslim Woman Leader, said that, “there is no role of women in the decision making processes.
“In Manipur, during crime women were the first to handle the situation but on the other hand when there is the time of decision making they were been kept aside”, she said.
The meeting concluded with the brief discussion on violence against women, status of women in Northeast India, women’s importance and role in decision making and drafting of 21 points for future strategies in decision making and screening of the film “Women, War and Peace”.