IMPHAL, Mar 9 : For a society to progress, to move forward, women should be uplifted and for the upliftment of women, economic empowerment of women is a must.These were some of the views shared at the observance of the International Women’s Day hosted by the Manipur State Commission for Women at their office at Lamphelpat today.
The Women’s Day is observed all over the world and in Manipur too it was celebrated at different places by different group like the Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Manipur, The All Manipur Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA) and many others.Since time immemorial, women have been suppressed, looked down and their issues and problems were ignored. In this male dominated world, women were kept below the men, they were supposed to stay at home and look after the needs of her family. She was not allowed to come out of her house and move about freely, it was observed during the functions.
Finally, women were fed up of their inferiority and the way the society treated them. This led to a movement by the women all over the world to occupy a place beside men, to be given equal importance and opportunity for development. The International Women’s Day was born with this objective in mind.
Today, the status of women is much better as compared with the past but still there is a very long way to go, the observers felt.Dr. Ch Jamini, chairperson of the Manipur State Commission for Women, in her speech, said that women in Manipur worked very hard - weaving at homes, in the fields planting paddy and vegetables, in the hills, at farms, in the brick fields and at other places.
But this was not enough. For a better society and for our developing society - what with the advancement in the field of science and technology, women need to be more advanced, she felt. Demands by children and the family members keep on increasing - for better food and nutrition, better clothing and many more.
Women are helpless as they have no means to satisfy them all. So a change is needed, she said.She added that many women are working in the fields and quarries to earn a little more money. Some were even compelled to sell their own flesh, out of sheer helplessness, even though they knew it was wrong.
Many of them were widowed due to the killings and violence prevailing in the state, and there are many unwed mothers also.
What will become of our society, she asked.Our society is in dire need of an awareness, to understand the problems and issues faced by the women, and giving awareness to women and children alone is not enough. Youths should also be included in such awareness programmes, for they are the pillars of our society and it is important that they understand the women’s issues, work for it, fight for it and safeguard it, she felt.
Violence against women and children can be solved and prevented only when economic empowerment of women was there, she observed.B. Angousana Sharma, retired commander and one of the dignitaries present, in his speech said that women play a very important role in nature. She was the one who brought us to this wonderful nature.
Women are much more stronger than men in terms of their mentality and emotionally also, he felt.Women look after their families, husbands, children and at the same time do all the household chores and many others.
What could they not do? Men are mere spectators. They are only good at bossing around and ordering others, he said. He further added that women are wonderful instructors also.
“The impact of HIV/AIDS on women in a traditionally patriarchal society like Manipur leads to gender based stigma and discrimination,” said Danny Kangjam President NPM while addressing the observation of the International Women’s Day at Hotel Mass, Imphal.
Calling attention to the theme of the observation, “Women and Man united to end violence against women and girls”, Danny said that it is encouraging that the global campaign for gender equality has become inclusive.
Speaking on the occasion, Meihoubam Rakesh Executive Director of Human Rights Law Network said that the need of the hour is for women to resolve to use various mechanisms of law to get reddressal for the various injustices being meted out to them.
He also said that cases of stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS should be reported so that due legal recourse can be taken.Features Editor of IFP, Chitra Ahanthem who also addressed the gathering of positive people said that partnerships were needed to bring attention upon the vulnerabilities faced by women, which leads them to HIV/AIDS.
“We need to look at broadening dialogues around issues of property ownership, sexual health rights, domestic violence and inclusion in decision making processes,” she said.
Imphal (East) SP Radheshyam, a guest of honor at the observation said that there should be sensitization programs for security personnel so that instances of harassments against vulnerable section of the community do not continue.
The observation was attended by various social activists and NGO representatives in which, many women gave testimonies of overcoming struggles for their rights.The All Manipur Nupi Marup today observed the International Women’s Day at the Irabot Bhavan with Sakhi Devi and L Sorojani Devi as the chief guest.
Various leaders of women’s organisations discussed the values of the present day at the function.They said there was a trend of daily killings making women suffer the most and stated that in Manipur the population ratio of women was greater than that of men which made the women bear more burdens.
They said it was time for all the womenfolk to get together and try to solve the problems in the state to bring peace in the society.