SHILLONG, JAN 15: A citizens’ conference on women and other gender-related issues stressed on the need to frame effective laws to protect the rights of the women and children, given that recent trend clearly shows that there has been a significant rise in incidents of crime against women throughout the country, including in matrilineal Meghalaya.
“There is a serious increase in crimes against women in Meghalaya which is a matrilineal society that is supposed to be women-friendly. The conference is all about calling citizens to be responsive to such situation and jointly fight against such crimes,” said Kit Shangpliang, the songwriter and musician of Summersalt.
“Through the conference, we want to persuade the government to take immediate steps to stop the growing incidents of crimes against women. The recommendations of the conference will be submitted to the Centre and the state government,” he added. Citizens from different backgrounds, including representatives of NGOs, musicians and artists attended the conference.
According to available statistics, 140 cases of crime against women were reported from across the state in 2012 with East Khasi Hills recording 35 per cent such cases, followed by Jaintia Hills district with 21 per cent.
“A total of 830 cases where women and children were violated were registered in the past 10 years,” said ICARE vice-president Patricia Mukhim. Many more such cases go unreported, she said, adding that the time had come to come up with much more effective laws to stops the rights of women and children from being violated.
Delivering her presentation on the topic, Dignity of women, Rica Lamar, the director of MANBHA Foundation said extensive discrimination against women exists in Meghalaya.
“Violence against women denies women of several rights – right to life, right to personal security, right to be free from cruel and degrading treatment, right to health, right to be free from fear and mobility. Traditional attitudes by which women are regarded as subordinate to men perpetuate widespread practices involving violence against women,” she added.
She the nature and extent of attitudes, customs and practices that perpetuate violence against women must be looked into and effective measures taken to overcome such attitudes and practice. “Gender sensitive training of judicial and law enforcement officials and others, compilations of statistics and research on the extent, causes and effects of violence are required to tackle such crimes. Specific preventive and punitive measures to overcome trafficking and sexual exploitation, effective complaint procedures and remedies, including compensation should be provided,” she said.-By Our Reporter
Regarding the crime in Meghalaya, I feel so embarrassed that to see that crime is increasing day by day even in matrilineal society where it suppose to be the state of women friendly. But first, men and the society should change their attitude toward women, I thank the Icare Foundation for organising this workshop and i also request that if possible, conduct awareness programme on the scheme which the Government was amended so that the scheme can be useful for those who are in need. i also thank the Meghalaya Government for amendment the compensation scheme for rape and trafficking but the scheme must be implemented properly so that the victims can getting their benefits. so that, it can be address or minimize it.
sorry the website is incorrect