SHILLONG: A call for more women to be enrolled as women police officers, judges and prosecutors to ensure faster convictions and justice to victims of violence was raised by Hector Marwein, Additional Chief Secretary on Wednesday.
Marwein observed that legal illiteracy results in harassment against women which becomes the basis of the increase of violence and in view of this legal literacy is mandatory considering the increasing crimes against women.
Awareness of women’s rights as framed in the Constitution of India acts as legal weapon ensuring protection of women from harassment, however, most women are unaware of their rights as enshrined in the Constitution, he added.
Speaking as the chief guest during the one day awareness programme for women on Wednesday, Marwein said, “There is the battle for respect and equality of women from men and we have tools in our hands to ensure that struggle reduces.”
Commenting on the role of NGOs, he stated, “NGOs play a vital role in creating awareness and in ensuring that cases of violence and harassment are brought to light.”
“The judicial system is slow in dealing with cases of violence against women,” Marwein said.
He pointed out that in developed countries like America cases of violence against women are regularly reported.
He maintained that participation of women is necessary for national development and called for social awareness programmes enabling women and men to enjoy an equal footing.
Dr. Vanessa Kharmawphlang, Principal, College of Teacher Education, while speaking at the programme said problems women face range from unemployment and illiteracy to broken homes etc.
“During the year 2001 there were 66 cases of violence against women, 280 in 2014 which includes sexual assault, rape and harassment. According to MSCW report of the year 2015, there were 103 cases and 10 in 2016,” she pointed out.
The programme was a joint collaboration of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women, Government of Meghalaya with M/S Karshan Consulting Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.
There were presentations and deliberations on the various laws and legislations concerning child and women rights like Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, POSCO Act, Domestic Violence Act and others.
