Justice for victims and the victim's family of crime against women and girls have become hopeless due to pending and delay of justice, according to Women Action for Development secretary Sobita Mangsatabam.
Sobita made the statement during ‘international day for the elimination of violence against women, 16 days of activism against gender-based violence under the theme ‘Unite! Activism to end violence against women and girls on Friday at Langol Laimanai Rehabilitation Training Centre, Imphal West.
While giving the keynote address of the programme, Sobita appealed to organisations including non-state actors to help secure justice for the victim and victim’s family.
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There are various cases of crime against women and girls which involve powerful groups, bureaucrats, politicians and even officers. In present context, the state becomes more vulnerable than before that biological father rape his own daughter, biological uncle rapes his brother’s daughter. In such a situation, if our own brothers are becoming contrary to the expectation of security and protection means where your sisters will go for protection and security or to complain, Sobita said.
She said since 2003, WAD is organising 16 days activism against gender-based violence to end violence against women and girls in Manipur. However, crime against women and girls are not stopping in the state.
This year from January to November, there were 151 cases of crime against women and girls. And according to the High Court of Manipur, there are 231 pending cases before the courts. From the hill districts, out of 100 only 10 per cent reported the case remaining are not reported or negotiated under customary law, Sobita said.
She further expressed discontent of giving bail to the accused. Most of the time, after the accused is sent to judicial custody release on bail, said Sobita. Because releasing them on bail affects the victim.
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Manipur University economics professor, Chinglen Meisnam said this year's theme ‘Unite! Activism to end violence against women and girls’ is to mobilize all society to become activists for the prevention of violence against women, to stand in solidarity with women’s rights activists. Unity or unite is a slogan of many freedom fighters, it is not a new slogan. However, the theme used to unite is drawing attention to the role each and every one has to advocate for change.
He said since the 16 days activism started by WAD from 2003, he attends the programme but still faces the same trouble faced by women and girls, no change has seen. Let’s see from this year whether the change comes or not but before that women of the state should stop pulling down among them. Because in the state, a woman only pulls the leg of another woman. When they stop pulling each other, women can unite.
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The programme was attended by ex-pradhan, Binolata of Bashikhong GP; Nungshirei of Khongman GP; Surbala of Waiton GP.
During the programme the victim's family gave testimonies and status of the case pending before the courts.
