Violence against women a hate crime, says Peseyie
STAFF REPORTER
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 25
One in four women experiences physical violence during pregnancy and 603 million women are said to be living in countries where domestic violence is not yet considered a crime. Women and girls make up 80% of the estimated 800,000 people trafficked across national borders with more than 100 million girls missing due to pre-natal sex selection. This was disclosed by Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) chairperson Dr.Temsula Ao at the launch of fortnight observation on elimination of violence against women today at Town Hall Dimapur.
The 16-day campaign under the theme ‘From peace in the home to peace in the world: Let’s challenge militarism and end gender based violence” is being organized by NSCW.
Stating that men to be leaders and women as faithful followers of men, Dr.Temsula called upon the gathering to raise their voice against such violation of human rights instead of remaining silent spectators.
“Society as a whole acts against the victimized woman where families often play a negative role by preventing victims of domestic violence from making public complaints in order not to bring shame on the family’s name. Another important reason why women fear to go to court is because they are totally dependent on their husbands economically” acknowledged Dr.Temsula.
Asserting Nagaland to be a conflict torn state, she acknowledged that the fear of conflict has been overtaken by violence against women because of its presence in our family and society. To transform this fear she put across the change in men’s mindset and for women to overcome their fear. She called upon the society to build a mutual respect for each other to end such violence.
“The state assembly has adopted the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 which recognizes domestic violence as cognizable crime, but it is not enough to enact a law if the implementation is not carried out in a proper manner,” asserted Dr. Temsula.
The Fast Track Courts were introduced to deal speedily with cases of violence against women. But our state discontinued this by Cabinet decision of the Assembly in September 2012. The NSCW reiterated upon the government to set up and ensure the smooth functioning of family courts in all districts.
Sending a green signal on the day of International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority is launching a new project called ‘Access to Justice’ through which they will carry out legal awareness programmes and open legal aid clinics In Tuensang and Mon.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Social Welfare Kiyanilie Peseyie stated that violence against women is collectively violent acts that are primarily or exclusively committed against women.
Asserting that such gender based violence sometimes considered a hate crime, He said, violence targets a specific group with the victim’s gender as a primary motive. The acts of violence are committed against women especially because they are women, or as a result of patriarchal gender attitude.
“Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women and that it is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position with men” added Kiyanilie.
He said the government is giving special attention to the women of the State and will facilitate in mitigating risks and promoting better environment.
Delivering short speech on the day, Naga Mothers Association (NMA) Vice President (VP) Sarah Nuh said, according to the Nagaland statistics of 2000, 10 out of 100 women experience violence and in 2007 statistics 37.2% experienced violence. Instead of decreasing the number has increased, she added.
Eastern Naga People’s Organization (ENPO) Joint Secretary Manlang Phom stated that no man in his right sense will have the courage to raise hand against women and women in return should take precautions for such violence and raise voice.
Naga Hoho (NH) VP H.K.Zhimomi while stating that violence as enemy of the society, rued that in the past women were found to be modest and humble but these days fortunately or unfortunately because of the carefree life women are giving chance to predators. In respect to human rights, he said that women are not a commodity but should be treated equal to her counterpart.
The programme was chaired by NSCW member Asangla Cholong and invocation pronounced by Sangtam Baptist Church Purana Bazar Pastor Dr.Apise. The vote of thanks was rendered by NSCW member Kakheli Jakhalu.
Along with the rest of the world, Gariphema village under Chiephobozou sub-division observed the International Day on elimination of violence against women 2014 today with the Minister for Rural Development, C.L. John as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering at Gariphema ground, John called upon the Naga men folk not to physically torture their wives who are playing a big role in the society. He said Nagaland being a Christian state, men should shun violence against women. Naga customary law also protects women in all walks of life, he added.
He discouraged child marriage and polygamy which creates misunderstanding and problems within the family members and also called upon all concerned to maintain a good image for Naga identity. The minister said, man should love their wives as themselves and respect them in all aspects of life.
John said that the rural development department, through the flagship programme MNREGA, certain percentage of the job cards have been given to women and out of the 11 project directors in the entire State, seven posts are being held by women officers as project directors. He further appealed to the people of 11 Nothern Angami assembly constituency to work with unity under MLA Neiphrezo Keditsu and also advised him to bring more development works in the area.
Gariphema village is the first village from the North Eastern Region and the country for undertaking the Signature Campaign pledging to eliminate violence against women - A promise is a promise. The village chairman and the minister took the pledge followed by the village men with great enthusiasm.
MLA Neiphrezo Keditsu who gave a short speech said that they should join hands together to contain violence against of women. He expressed gratitude to the Rural Development Department for conducting such an event in his constituency and stated that he would be looking forward for help, especially for women and youth. He mentioned cases in mainstream for targeting the northeast people and asked all concerned to voice against such atrocities.
Chairperson NSSWB, Bano Vinito also spoke on community’s role in strengthening the cause. Other who spoke on the occasion included Mission Director SRCW, P. Daisy Mezhur and Council Chairman, Dziesevi Pielie.
The programme was chaired by Research Officer, NRCW, Meneno V.
