Solidarity run held at Chizami to end violence against women and girls

Dimapur, Dec. 4 (EMN): As part of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence (GBV), North East Network (NEN) Nagaland in collaboration with Chizami Sport Association (CSA) organised ‘Solidarity run to end violence against women and girls’ at Chizami, on December 3.

An update from NEN Nagaland informed through an update that its members along with 73 youth members from the villages of Chizami, Enhulumi, Sumi and Chizami town participated in the run, which was held after an awareness programme was held where 110 people attended.

“A violence-free community starts with you and me taking responsibility for our action,” CSA president Colo Mero was quoted as saying in his welcome note. He stated that “men and boys have bigger responsibility to make our society safer for women and girls”.

He encouraged the boys to take a decision to respect, to love, to support and to protect women and girls. ‘This solidarity run should not be seen as a one-time activity but, the cause and the reason we run for should stay with us till the end of our lives,’ he added.

“Violence against women and girls is like a disease; is preventable but has been ignored for too long,” stated Dr. Yelo T Mero, MO, PHC Chizami.

Terming gender-based violence as a public health concern, he highlighted the mental, emotional, psychological and physical health impacts violence has on women and girls.

He stated that ‘violence affects women’s self-esteem, can often lead to depression, suicides, homicides in extreme cases. It is important therefore talk about these issues, raise wider awareness and build consciousness amongst diverse stakeholder’.

Vekuto Vero, SDO (Civil) Chizami highlighted various forms of violence against women as the term “violence” is often perceived as a form of physical injury. He pointed out that there are numerous gender discriminatory practices in Naga society, and one such that is a matter of big concern is the ‘traditional inheritance law where women don’t have a say’.

He encouraged the young participants to recognise such discriminatory practices, not remain silent, but speak up to bring about gender justice in the society.

Wekoweu Tsuhah, State Director, NEN Nagaland briefed the history and significance of observing the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign, and the prevalence of the issue in the Naga society. She shared that ‘solidarity run was organised with the objectives of raising awareness on gender-based violence, and to demonstrate our solidarity with women and girls around the world’. She called on young people to ‘break the culture of silence on violence against women by speaking up and not ignoring it, because one’s silence encourages violence to continue’.

The 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, which started on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, will end on December 10, which is International Human Rights Day, indicating that violence against women is a human rights issue.

Besides the solidarity run, NEN informed that it is organising various activities starting with virtual exhibition of posters on November 25 as part of 16-day campaign. It also has a few events in the offing like seminar on ‘women’s reproductive health and rights’ in collaboration with FPAI Kohima on December 8; filmmaking workshop for young women from December 7 to the 9th; and awareness meeting with community leaders on December 10, in collaboration with Chizami Women Society, Chizami Town Women Welfare Society, and Sumi Women Society.