Advocacy marks Day against gender violence

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 25 (EMN): The Nagaland State Social Welfare Board (NSSWB) organised “Walk-A-Thon” in collaboration with Women Helpline, Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) and various other NGOs on Monday morning for elimination of violence against women.

The walk, which started at Old MLA Junction and ended at Directorate of Social Welfare near Kohima Law College, was held in commemoration of International Day for elimination of Violence against Women. Director of NSSWB, Daisy Mezhur administered pledge for elimination of violence against women to the participants at a brief programme held at Old MLA Junction.

The chairperson for Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW), Khrienuo Tachü told the participants that “the 25th of November, annually is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women under the theme: ‘Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape”.

Highlighting the significance of this year’s theme, she said that orange colour signifies brighter days, brighter future, a future free of violence and rape, a future that has safe space, safe environment for all women irrespective of age or socio-economic status. “Our generation, the generation (of) equality, vehemently stands against the heinous crime of rape. Rape is forced sex with a woman. It is a very grievous crime,” she asserted.

The NSCW chairperson maintained that the world has advanced so much in technological developments but in terms of rape, it has not diminished. However, she expressed hope that the walkathon and cycling, as an awareness drive, would help eliminate rape and other violence perpetrated against women. “Let us all give our concerted effort to eliminate rape which has become one of the greatest threats to a woman’s human rights,” she urged the gathering.

According to Tachü, Naga society is not free from the evils of violence against women, especially rape while citing an incident that happened last month. “The trauma and the irreparable psychological harm can never be erased from the victim’s mind. It is for these reasons that we need to urgently stand against Rape. We need to make every Naga woman feels protected, loved and cared for,” she said.

Urging the gathering to eliminate violence against women, she said, “Let us disseminate to our fellow sisters from every nook and corner that we stand against rape and that together we will eliminate gender-based violence, especially rape.”

The Walk-A-Thon was flagged off by Sarah R Ritse, commsiioner and secretary at Old MLA Hostel Junction. Besides walkers, cyclists and skateboarders also joined the campaign.

‘Stop violence on women and girls and break the silence’, ‘A violent-free family is a violent-free nation’,‘Peace over violence, one on one, one by one’, and ‘Don’t tell me how to dress, tell them not to rape’ were some of the slogans written on placards displayed at the event.