An independent report prepared by the Women Action for Development (WAD) said that altogether 135 cases of violence against women and children have been reported in Maipur between January 1 and November 23.
WAD has documented 135 cases of violence against women and children from January 1, 2021 to November 23, 2021 through the local Newspapers.
Out of 135 cases, there were 29 rapes, one gang rape, six murders, five suicides, nine suspicious deaths, four molestation, 21 assault, 22 missing, two attempt to rape, two delivery deaths, one assault with delivery, one domestic violence, one abandoned, three life attempts, four attempt to child marriage cases, nine crowd control assault, none sexual harassment, five kidnappings, four cybercrime and five medical negligence death respectively.
Out of the mentioned 135 cases of violence against women and children, 27 cases occurred in Imphal East, 31 in Imphal West, 27 in Thoubal, 11 in Bishnupur, five in Ukhrul, two in Kamjong, two in Chandel, four in Tamenglong, three in Kangpokpi, eight in Churachandpur, seven in Kakching District,three outside the state, two in Jiribam and three in Senapati district respectively.
WAD stated that on top of all issues, the ancient old customary law has been a stumbling block when delivering justice. Hill districts are bound with customary laws which are not women friendly. There are many rape cases where victim and their family were compensated by the culprit by giving a pig or a cow and the case was close after that. There is a need to reform customary law with more women-friendly approaches, WAD said.
It further stated that today, although the voices of activists and survivors have reached the highest point that cannot be silenced or ignored, ending violence against women will require more investment, leadership and action. It cannot be sidelined; it must be part of every state response amid this covid-19 crisis, WAD said.
WAD urged the government to launch bold actions and commitments to end violence against women. It also requested civil society organisations, academicians, intellectuals, judiciaries and all the stakeholders to contribute and support their activism by highlighting the issues and focusing the news pertaining to violence against women.
WAD stated that the 16-day activism against gender-based violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until December 10, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Centre for Women's Global Leadership.
This year marks its 30th anniversary under the leadership of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the United Nations UNITE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign, WAD said.
Women Action for Development (WAD) along with other civil society organisations, NGOs and other stakeholders have been taking part on this international event every year since 2003 to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls in Manipur. This year the 16 days activism against gender-based violence will be organised under the global theme, "Orange the world: End Violence against women now". The colour orange symbolizes a brighter future, free of violence. It also serves as a means of demonstrating our solidarity in eliminating all forms of violence.
This year too, WAD is taking part in this international event amidst the pandemic to address this burning issue. Even before the pandemic hit, violence against women and girls had reached pandemic proportions.
Globally, one in three women aged 15 years and older, around the world have been subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, non-partner or both at least once in their lifetime, indicating that levels of VAW have remained largely unchanged over the last decade.
