Thoubal, 25 Nov : As part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence observed annually from November 25 to December 10, a 16-day campaign aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women was launched on Tuesday at Wangjing in Thoubal district, Manipur.
The campaign was jointly organised by the Integrated Rural Development Service Organisations (IRDSO), Wangjing, and Women in Governance, Thoubal Chapter. It was formally launched at the IRDSO Hall in Wangjing.
Speaking at the event, Laishram Ranabala, Wing Promoter of IRDSO, said that the awareness campaign will continue till December 10 as part of the global 16-day observation. The campaign will be conducted in 22 villages across Thoubal, Kakching, and Imphal East districts. She appealed to the public to participate in the campaign and make it a success.
She emphasised that the campaign aims to protect young girls as well as adult women from various forms of violence and to educate them on preventive measures. She added that issues like shaming or blaming survivors continue to exist, and that several incidents of violence are often committed in public places where women must seek help or support. IRDSO and WING Thoubal strongly condemned such acts and will emphasise the importance of creating awareness about these issues and providing support to victims of violence, she added.
Speaking at the launch, Oinam Thoibi, another Wing Promoter, said that the rise in crimes such as rape and other forms of violence against women makes it even more crucial to conduct such awareness campaigns.
She further reiterated that this year’s campaign theme focuses on uniting to end digital violence against all women and girls. In today’s digital age, women and girls are increasingly falling victim to cybercrimes such as misuse of personal photos, blackmail, and other forms of online harassment. The campaign particularly emphasises leadership training, awareness on digital safety for young girls, and addressing issues such as domestic violence to empower women to take timely action, she added.
Wing Promoters Maibam Menaka, Mayengbam Ibemcha, Najima Phundreimayum, Mumtaz Begum, Rebeca Laishram, Khangembam Bimika and others also took part and contributed to the campaign activities.
It may be mentioned here that the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991.
This 16-day period also highlights significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day; December 1, World AIDS Day; December 6, Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre; and December 10, International Human Rights Day.
The campaign has been used as an organising strategy by individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women by raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional, and international levels, creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women and others.
