Binalakshmi Nepram – Page 2

Peace Volunteers trained to mitigate conflict in India’s Northeast

Peace Volunteers trained to mitigate conflict in India’s Northeast Delhi/Imphal, 5 April 2014: Northeast India comprises the contiguous Seven Sister States—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and a brother Sikkim. The region has been facing the onslaught of multiple armed conflicts for

Peace Volunteers trained to mitigate conflict in India’s Northeast

Peace Volunteers trained to mitigate conflict in India’s Northeast

Delhi/Imphal, 5 April 2014: Northeast India comprises the contiguous Seven Sister States—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and a brother Sikkim. The region has been facing the onslaught of multiple armed conflicts for many decades. The issues aggravated after the introduction of the Armed Forces Special Power Act. More than 50,000 lives have been lost in the violence. The total population of North Eastern Region of India is 38,857,769, of which 19.1% are living below the poverty line. North East India deals with complex social political issues such as struggle over natural resources, ethnic conflicts, illegal migration, displacement and social exclusion. In Assam, there have been 14 bomb blasts since January to March, this year and 30 cases of bomb blasts between January and March 23 in Manipur. The conflict in Manipur turns 300 women into widows annually.

On 25-26 March 2014, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and North East India Women Initiative for Peace in partnership with Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) successfully organized an event ‘Peace Volunteers Training on Women, Peace & Security, Human Rights, Leadership, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building in Northeast India’, in Manipur.

The training workshop commenced with an introductory speech by Ms Binalakshmi Nepram Founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivor Network, welcoming all the resource persons and ‘Peace Volunteers’ at the event. She opened the session by giving an overview of the disturbing situation and status of women in Northeast India, against the background of the region’s prolonged inter and intra-state conflicts and patriarchal nature. She described how women are the victims of rape, abduction, child marriages, female infanticide, acid attacks, dowry-related murders, honor killing and enslavement. The focus of her speech was on ‘Women, Peace and Security in Northeast India’ and the inclusion of women in peace negotiation processes. She mentioned that Nepal is the first and only South Asian country to adopt the National Action Plan on Resolution 1325 and 1820, as a result of which the application of Security Council Resolution 1325 – which addresses the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women. She furthermore criticized that many Northeast India’s conflicts which are left unreported by mass media.

Ms Hazarimayum Jubita, Executive Director of Gender and Development Initiative and Convener of Peace Core Team, Manipur expressed that ‘Peace is a Process’. She quoted, “In Northeast India Peace Builders fight each other and form another Peace Builder.” She also mentioned that conflict can be solved from the top, down and bottom process and expressed the need of women in decision making processes and give peaceful solutions to the conflicts. She also expressed the need of women in decision making processes and give peaceful solutions to the conflicts. She said that Conflict happens at different levels, so, we need women to engage in decision making processes at different levels.

Mr. Wahengbam Joykumar, Executive Director, Human Rights Initiative, Manipur, explained the benefits of volunteerism. He mentioned about the qualities of a good leader as well as non-violent methods to combat violence. He also explained the concept of Human Rights which means freedom, equality, dignity, non-discrimination and is indivisible and universal. Further, he traced the concept of Human Rights to Indian Context, that in India, every citizen is entitled to all the Six Fundamental Rights granted by the Constitution and as citizens of India, have the right to seek constitutional remedy in times of human rights violation.

Mr. Phurpa Tsering, MA, International Relations, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, expressed his opinion about who could be Peace Volunteer, training methods, roles and responsibilities of the peace volunteer. He said that there should be linkage of local level network to the national level peace building process to ensure amplification of voices from grass roots to the national platform, to link community groups and leaders, to link networks of women to district, state and national level networks, to link with peace buildingnetworks, mothers’ bazaars, district & state conventions and meetings, awareness events, exposure and exchange visits, youth meetings, and media engagement. He also added that women representatives should be facilitated to participate in different national and regional forums works on women, peace and security agenda as well as supported to attend discussion forums and contribute to the dialogue processes.

Mr Meihoubam Rakesh, Director, Human Rights Law Network, Manipur, explained how to file First Information Report (FIR) to the police and any application to the court. He mainly focused how to apply theoretical knowledge to practical and field knowledge. He encouraged women and youths to learn the basic rights given by the constitution and spread awareness in their society by doing more practical works. According to him, attending workshop and reading books about the rules and regulation is not worth until and unless you apply that practically.

Mr RK Bobichand, Director, Change and Peacebuilding Action (CPA), expressed that “there is no formula for peace building”. He explained each and every point about the types of conflict, types of violence, different approaches to conflict like prevention, settlement, management, resolution as well as conflict transformation. Later on, he added ‘Peace is a process, many-sided, never-ending struggle to transform violence’ and explained about the types of negative and positive peace.

D. Michael Lunminthang Haokip, Doctoral Student, Department of Political Science, Manipur University, Imphal, said that in order to bring peace and to build friendship, home visit and taking documentation is one of the most important parts in bringing peace among the different societies, caste and groups. He explained how to do documentation of any incident happened and encouraged volunteers to start work from grass root level.

There were around 40 volunteers at the event and all were highly motivated by the Peace Volunteer training workshop by gaining much knowledge about the issues of Women, Peace and security, Human rights, Leadership, conflict transformation and Peace building in Northeast India. They were being assigned various tasks such as, to make documentation of conflict affected people, identification of prominent people in their area and to look whether they work for the people, collect the data of any incident happen in a year and identify themselves the areas/issues they can contribute for the society as a peace volunteer.

The workshop lay stressed on gender issues. It was suggested that the role of women in decision making processes is a critical factor in solving problems. Youth and women were encouraged to take leadership role and participate in all social activities.

Women in South Asia to Strengthen Efforts for Peace, Security and Disarmament

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Women in South Asia to Strengthen Efforts for Peace, Security and Disarmament Delhi, 3 April 2014: The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women in South Asia to Strengthen Efforts for Peace, Security and Disarmament

Delhi, 3 April 2014: The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. Every year, representatives of Member States gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide. The Commission met from 9-21March 2014 in New York this year. Team of Control Arms Foundation of India and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network were present there and hosted a parallel event under the theme “Engaging Women for Resolving Conflicts, Usher in Peace, Disarmament, & Development in South Asia”.

Ms.-Binalakshmi-Nepram-Founder-Manipur-Women-Gun-Survivors-Network-and-Secretary-General-CAFI-at-UN-Side-Event-in-New-York-13-March-2014

It was supported by an ongoing project “Empowering Women for Peace and Development in South Asia, including Myanmar”in collaboration with Deutsch Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and supported by European Commission.

Women’s role remains weak and insecure in all social, political and economic activities in South Asia. In India, 22 girls get kidnapped every day. Out of the number of children who were kidnapped, 66% (10,938) are girls. Child mortality and maternal mortality levels in South Asia are among the highest globally. 46% of women aged 20-24 in South Asia married before the age of 18; 3.3% of women in South Asia (India and Bangladesh) face non-partner sexual violence.

Ms-Binalakshmi-Nepram-Founder-Manipur-Women-Gun-Survivors-Network-and-Secretary-General-CAFI-presenting-at-UN-Side-event-in-New-York-13-March-2014

The session commenced with an introductory speech by Ms. Binalakshmi Nepram, Founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, and Secretary General, Control Arms Foundation of India welcoming all the panelists at the event. She gave an overview of the disturbing situation and status of women in South Asia, against the background of the region’s prolonged inter and intra-state conflicts and patriarchal nature. She described how in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal, women are the victims of rape, abduction, child marriages, female infanticide, acid attacks, dowry-related murders, honor killing and enslavement. She furthermore criticized that many South Asian conflicts, such as that in Northeast India, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, are left unreported by mass media. She also mentioned the ongoing armed violence caused by small arms, light weapons within the Northeast India region. More than 50,000 lives have been lost in the violence. The conflict in Manipur turns 300 women into widows annually. She called on international communities for the help to combat the problem and ensure countries that India implement UNSCR 1325.

Ms-Binalakshmi-Nepram-left-Ms-Maria-Butler-center-Programme-DirectorWILPF-PeaceWomen-USA-at-UN-CSW-event-13-March-2014

Ms. Maria Butler, Programme Director, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, PeaceWomen Project, USA,focused on the need for a shift in CSW from military to human security and the links between development and militarism, identifying however a huge resistance as to imbedding disarmament in the development agenda. She accentuated how the post-2015 development agenda cannot keep silent on militarism if we want human rights abuses to be truly addressed. She also referred to the earlier-mentioned India’s resistance to apply Resolution 1325, calling this ‘the core of the challenge’ of their work, calling for voices that acknowledge that aforesaid resolution is in fact applicable everywhere.

Panelists-and-participants-at-UN-58th-CSW-event-in-New-York-13-March-2014

Ms. Sarah Boyd, Founder, The Gender Agency, Australia, underlined the importance of women’s voices going from the private to the public sphere, merging private and public spheres to raise women’s consciousness, collective investment in ensuring that CSW nor the post-2015 agenda remain silent on critical issues of gender equality, peace (keeping), development, disarmament and their intersections, and the importance of CSO’s as the ties that bind the foregoing elements.

Ms. Fiona McAlpine, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network/Young WILPF Network, Australia, addressed the issues of murder and forced disappearance of women and girls in India and the lack of access to justice, forged evidence and post-mortem reports, and impunity (as a consequence of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act) in that context. She accentuated that without including disarmament and demilitarization, the CSW is moot, as there can be no development without disarmament, which is also a prerequisite for access to justice.

Also a short film titled, “We Shall Find Our Peace” was screened at the event that depicts the hardships and sufferings happening due to the ongoing conflict situation in the state of Manipur, India and eagerness of the population to promote peaceful environment in the region. The film showed the strength and hope among the Manipuri Women to overcome the hardships and violence in their state.

There were valuable discussions among the panelists and other participants across India, USA, Brazil, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and many others on Women, Peace and Security, types of violence and discrimination they are facing across the globe. Further discussions were on the possible steps that could be taken for the empowerment of women, their role in conflict transformation, disarmament, and decision-making processes. The event was ended successfully with valuable inputs and suggestions from esteemed Panelists.

Please, find the attachment of few photos of the event.

For more information, please contact:

Office of Control Arms Foundation of India and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network

B 5 / 146, First Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi – 110029, India

Phone: +91-11-46018541, Fax +91-11-26166234

Email: Cafi.communique@gmail.com, Website: www.cafi-online.org

Press Release: Manipuri Woman in Top 100 most influential people in world on armed violence reduction

The post Press Release: Manipuri Woman in Top 100 most influential people in world on armed violence reduction appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

New Delhi, 2 July 2013 : In 2011, at least 526,000 people died violent deaths around the world. Over three-quarters of these occurred in non-conflict settings. A wide range of people around the globe are working to change this depressing … Continue reading →

The post Press Release: Manipuri Woman in Top 100 most influential people in world on armed violence reduction appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Members of London-based organization called Action on Armed Violence have published on 28th June a list of 100 people who are outstanding examples of those trying to change the world for the better. The list includes, United Nations Secretary General Ban ki Moon, Nobel Laureates like Jody Williams and Former US President Jimmy Carter and survivors like Malala Yosufzai. The complete list can be found at this website http://aoav.org.uk/2013/top-100-the-most-influential-people-in-the-world-of-armed-violence/

It is with great pride to share that amongst the list of 100 most influential people in the world in armed violence reduction, hailing from Northeast state of Manipur in India, Binalakshmi Nepram is one of the icons listed. Speaking on hearing about the recognition, Ms Nepram said, “We are delighted to share that after years of hard-work on finding ways to reduce armed violence,we found our name in the list. To a humble struggling organisation and team like us,this news has come with great joy. We are honoured and humbled to be in list.We thank all who trusted us, supported and inspired us in this journey.Our work for peace will go on with renewed vigor”

Manipuri Woman in Top 100 most influential people in world on armed violence reduction

Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, born in the state of Manipur located in India’s Northeast region. She is a writer-activist and is a strong voice in the India and Asia region who is spearheading work on making women-led disarmament a movement and an issue that is meaningful to people’s lives. Ms Nepram has a Masters in History from Delhi University and an M.Phil in South Asian Studies in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Ms Nepram has published several articles and papers in both national and international journals on issues relating to armed violence, small arms proliferation, peace processes, women and peace building. She is author of four books namely a book of poetry called “Poetic Festoon” published in 1990; “South Asia’s Fractured Frontier: Armed Conflict, Narcotics and Small Arms Proliferation in India’s Northeast” published 2002, “Meckley”, a historical fiction based on the conflict in Manipur published in 2004 and an edited volume titled “India and the Arms Trade Treaty” published in 2009.

In 2004, Ms Nepram co-founded India’s first civil society organization which is working on conventional disarmament issues, namely the Control Arms Foundation of India. And in 2007, in order to help thousands of women who are affected by gun violence in her home-state Manipur, Ms Nepram launched the Manipuri Women Gun Survivor Network. She has represented Indian civil society in various disarmament meetings at United Nations in New York.

In 2004, Ms Nepram was awarded a Ploughshares fellowship to work on small arms mitigation in Indo-Myanmar/Burma region. In 2006, Bina was awarded the Dalai Lama Foundation’s WISCOMP Scholar of Peace Award given to women who are working on conflict resolution and peace process and completed a pioneering work on women and micro-disarmament issues.

Bina’s work with Manipur women gun survivors was given the “Best Humanitarian Initiative of the Year 2010” at Women Leaders in India Conference held in New Delhi on 10 December 2010 and in September 2010 she was conferred with international Sean MacBride Peace Prize for 2010 by International Peace Bureau based in Geneva. In August 2011, Bina was given the CNN IBN Real Heroes Award for her work in supporting thousands of women survivors of gun violence in her home state Manipur and she was recipient of Ashoka Fellowship by Washington DC based Ashoka : Innovators of the Public. In 2011, CNN IBN awarded her team Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, “Indian of the Year “Award in Special Achievement category.

Till this day, Ms Nepram and her team continues to dedicate their lives working in villages of Northeast India transforming lives of impoverished poverty stricken women affected by conflict while continuing to research,write,advocate for change with governments,parliamentarians and United Nations

Office of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network
& Control Arms Foundation of India
Email: cafi.communique@gmail.com

Delhi office : B5 / 146, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110029, India
Phone: +91-11-46018541 Fax: +91-11-26166234
Web: www.womensurvivorsnetwork.org / www.cafi-online.org

Northeast India Office : Langthabal, Mantrikhong, Thong Ahanbi, Behind Manipur University Campus, Imphal West, Manipur. Pin: 795003 & Sreeram Villa of Kunjaban,Shyamalibazar, Po: Kunjaban, West Tripura, Agartala, Pin: 799006

The post Press Release: Manipuri Woman in Top 100 most influential people in world on armed violence reduction appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Call for End to Violence Against Women in Conflict Areas of India: Urges Government to Implement Justice Verma Recommendation on AFSPA

The post Call for End to Violence Against Women in Conflict Areas of India: Urges Government to Implement Justice Verma Recommendation on AFSPA appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Press Release/Brief Report Call for End to Violence Against Women in Conflict Areas of India: Urges Government to Implement Justice Verma Recommendation on AFSPA 2 Feb 2013,New Delhi: A round table discussion on the topic “Women, Peace and Security: Strategizing to … Continue reading →

The post Call for End to Violence Against Women in Conflict Areas of India: Urges Government to Implement Justice Verma Recommendation on AFSPA appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Press Release/Brief Report

Call for End to Violence Against Women in Conflict Areas of India: Urges Government to Implement Justice Verma Recommendation on AFSPA

2 Feb 2013,New Delhi: A round table discussion on the topic “Women, Peace and Security: Strategizing to End Violence Against Women in India” was held on 1 Feb at Control Arms Foundation of India in New Delhi.Meeting was held to discuss issue of women in conflict areas of India following Justice Verma recommendation on Armed Forces Special Powers Act as well as in solidarity with the One Billion Rising Global Campaign to stop all forms of violence against women. The event was organized by Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network,Control Arms Foundation of India and Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace.

Esteemed panelists included Mr Arvinn Gadgil, State Secretary/Deputy Minister of International Development of Norway; Mr Eivind S Homme,Ambassador, Royal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi; Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, Founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network; Ms Reecha Upadhyay an Independent Gender Consultant; Ms Lianboi Vaiphei, Lecturer, Indraprastha College for Women, Department of Political Science;Ms Chhaya Pravin, Purogami Mahila Sangathan, Ms Divya Vinod, National Secretary- Youth and Advocacy YMCA and Ms Rosalynn Lalawmpuii, Associate Programme Secretary, Community Development and Advocacy, YMCA and many others.

Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, Founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network & Secretary General, Control Arms Foundation of India welcomed the guests and she threw light on five weeks of protests that rocked India following the Delhi gang rape of 16 December 2012. She talked about the role of civil society in engaging the conscience of the government, to use research and activism to negotiate within it to end violence against women and claiming democratic rights. She stated it was for the first time in India movement for women’s rights had caught the lime light. She added that despite activities of women’s group the previous 5 governments in 20 years responded little in strengthening position of women. However in the light of the historic Justive Verma Report, Nepram feels that the women’s movement is in a transformative moment adding that the next few days were going to shape the contours of the movement in claiming rights and space for women. She added in a place like Delhi where hardly any girl can risk venturing out after 8 o clock, the attempt to claim space for selves was to enable a future where women could move freely outside even 2 o clock at night.

She added, “What is new about the Report by Justice Verma is that for the first time the impact of AFSPA in North East and Kashmir has been mentioned. It’s quite revolutionary that national security is being equated with women’s security. The report also has discussed the scope for electoral reforms. It has enlisted state names of legislators charged with rape and possibility of asking political parties not to include them within the party.” Binalakshmi Nepram also added an example which reflects patriarchal mindsets, she described how the idea of a Lakshman Rekha taken from the epic of Ramayana is employed as an excuse to confine women and limit their mobility even 65 years after India’s independence

Mr Arvinn Gadgil described how he followed the change in mood of the country in his home country Norway regarding the protest of the recent gang rape of a young girl in Delhi citing that in the first 2-3 days most people didn’t take that seriously. He added that it was more of a relief than anger when it became clear that lot of people got up and took steps to bring about change in a manner quite unprecedented regarding the brutal incident later. He said that although the Lokpal agitation also united people that inspired specific political groups but tended to be divisive. The 16th December 2012 gang rape incident in Delhi inspired action and was reported all over the world. He also made the point that feminist movement need to be given specific law making recommendations. He added, “It is important for activist groups to have deep legal knowledge to be effective. The different groups also need to keep engaging with politicians to bring about effective policy changes.”He also feels that one reason why Verma report has included voices of so many people and groups was because of the power behind those voices. He also talked of his own experiences and how his parents taught him to be a feminist himself.

Commenting on the recent upsurge of women’s movement in India involving large numbers of people, he cautions groups involved to be aware of the inevitability of having to go through subsequent low phases. “Given how the feminist movement is so political it is bound to be wound up with conflicts and fractures”, he added. He hopes that groups working would have the humility to accept that and not let those divisions threaten the survival of the movement or cause itself.

Ambassador Eivind S Homme mentioned how the Norwegian Government had been following the events and movement following the Delhi gang rape case closely. “It is trying to see if it can contribute in any way or partner anyone’s efforts,” he added. He also remarked how women’s group should try and work with young upcoming politicians to create a dynamic synergy for the change to combat violence against women.

Ms Reecha Upadhyay noted how the tremendous sentiment invoked by the recent Delhi Gang rape adding that it had been difficult to account for people working within the women’s movement since gang rapes have frequently occurred without ever invoking such an outburst of outrage in the civil society or by the media. The swift functioning and incorporation of diverse voices in Justice Verma Report shows how a response can be can be elicited if civil society comes together strongly.”She said, “The One Billion Rising movement similarly attempts to give a voice to people seeking positive change to empower women. Its theme of strike, dance and rise has a resonating sentiment that seeks to seize the moment to bring change. Admittedly it may be an urban movement but there is still a need for voices to come out even in urban areas. There is a lot to be done; the need is to change people’s mind sets. After all the effectiveness of policy change is limited by social attitudes and tendencies. Ultimately the family is where attitudes are shaped. By focusing on using communication tools like social media, we are attempting to get people to think and change the language of gender inequality.”Her final point was that the movement against violence on women also needs to expand into issues relating to North east and Kashmir and be made part of larger movement

Ms Rosalynn Lalawmpuii mentioned the 85 local stations that YWCA group has been carrying on all over the country through for community peace building and safety. While emphasizing the 3 P’s – prevention, Protection and Provision? Rosylyn tells us that personally she thinks it is most important to focus on prevention to ensure that the next generation can live in an environment free of violence. “It is important to realize that violence on women also effect children equally. Home is a space where children male and female watch, emulate and adopt biases of their own parents. Therefore there is a need to raise awareness of the parents to make them sensitive to gender issues. They are working out pilot projects that seek to strategize ways to have impact on the 3 P’s especially prevention”, she added.

Ms Divya Vinod addressed that they works with churches and discusses issues relating to violence against women through this institution. She also added that they focus on rights of vulnerable groups like Dalits and Tribal women and their well being.

Ms Lianboi Vaiphei felt that this incident underscores the need for the government to revamp the system through which it is supposed to protect its citizens. For example Delhi despite being the national capital lacks a forensic lab which means that cases of rape or murder have to be examined in labs either in Chandigarh or Hyderabad. This adds to the further bureaucratization of this mechanism. Another issue that she highlighted was that of the recruitment policy of Delhi police in the context of the relationship of Delhi police and its inhabitants especially women who suffer from violence. In contrast to the highly cosmopolitan nature of the city which includes people from all parts of the country it is rather problematic that the recruitment process is limited to people from nearby regions which are arguably representative of the most patriarchal sets ups in India. She argues that their socialization within these patriarchal set up results in them not comprehending the restrictions imposed on women and lack much sympathy towards victims of violence. To instantiate the some Delhi police officer’s in response to women being harassed in public tend to lay blame on the women themselves often retorting by asking questions like why these women were out so late at night. She feels that by recruiting people from all parts of the country to serve Delhi police we will have a force more reflective of the cosmopolitan nature of the city itself and that this maybe a good way to change mindsets.

Ms Chhaya Pravin narrated a painful incident of how a girl was gang raped in Okhla adding that due to lack of clean accessible toilet facility she had gone out in the open space, being raped in the process. She added that even in New Delhi the Government did not provide adequate basic amenities facilities like washrooms and toilet for women. She also strongly objected to the violence perpetrated on women in Northeast and Kashmir, being all the while shielded by acts like AFSPA. Adding that government deliberately did not talk about those issues. MS Chayya also argues that given the current state of affairs India requires simultaneous change in every sphere, adding hopefully that they were in the threshold of change and role of people and youth especially in coming out to protest was symptomatic of it. She added that women and civil society needed to work together identify collective strength and formulate strategies to end violence against women.

A short three minute, powerful film was screened at the event as a support in solidarity the One Billion Rising Global Campaign to stop all forms of violence agaists women.The event was participated by young students and scholars from Delhi Univerity, Jamia, IGNOU and women activists representing SANGAT, friends and well wishers. Royal Norwegian Embassy Second Secretary Ms Kristin Brodtkorb Traavik, Mr Petter W Tollefsen and Senior Advisor, Ms Renu Wadehra also participated the event.

For more information, please contact

Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Control Arms Foundation of India

Email: Binalakshmi@gmail.com/cafi.communique@gmail.com

Address for correspondence: B 5/146, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110029, India. Phone: +9-11-46018541 Fax: +91-11-26166234. Website:www.cafi-online.org www.womensurvivorsnetwork.org & http://neiwip.blogspot.com/

Photos of the event:

* The press release is sent by Majaiangom, Contact Info <majaicafi{at}gmail.com>

The post Call for End to Violence Against Women in Conflict Areas of India: Urges Government to Implement Justice Verma Recommendation on AFSPA appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Women, Peace and Security: Strategizing to End Violence Against Women in India

The post Women, Peace and Security: Strategizing to End Violence Against Women in India appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Women, Peace and Security: Strategizing to End Violence Against Women in India New Delhi, 1 Billion Rising campaign states, “One in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime”. In India, according to National Crime … Continue reading →

The post Women, Peace and Security: Strategizing to End Violence Against Women in India appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Women, Peace and Security: Strategizing to End Violence Against Women in India

New Delhi, 1 Billion Rising campaign states, “One in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime”. In India, according to National Crime Record Bureau in 2011, 14.7% rape cases are registered in cities while 85% rape cases are registered in rural India; there are more than 1 lakh rape cases pending; a total of 2, 28,650 women faced violence and abuse during 2007-2011 which includes rape, kidnapping, abduction, dowry death, cruelty by husbands and relatives, molestation, sexual harassment, importation of girls, immoral traffic etc. and the National capital Delhi has the highest percentage of crime rates against women which is 31.2%.

Women, Peace and Security: Strategizing to End Violence Against Women in India

In Northeast India, a total of 13,308 incidence of crime against women had been reported according to the National Crime Records Bureau 2011 with 11503 cases in Assam, 269 cases in Meghalaya, 1358 cases in Tripura, 167 cases in Mizoram, 247 cases in Manipur, 38 cases in Nagaland, 171 cases in Arunachal Pradesh and 55 cases reported in Sikkim. Not only in their states, Northeast Indian women are also prone and are vulnerable in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore etc as violence and crimes happened to them such as rape, molestation, sexual harassment as frequently reported at the National media.

The panel, Justice J S Verma Commission that was set up in response to public outcry over the brutal gang rape and murder of a 23 year old woman on 16 December 2012, of a young woman has delivered its report outlining recommendations on how to tackle gender violence in the largely patriarchal country. The committee suggest key recommendations to tackle increasing violence against women in India that includes key recommendations such as to amend rape laws in India, to make to make gender sensitization through education, electoral reforms, police reforms , to monitor illegal patriarchal village council etc .Taking strong cognizance of sexual offences committed by armed forces personnel in conflict zones, Justice J S Verma committee report has not only recommended amendments to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) but even questioned its continuance in such areas.

Gender equality is, first and foremost, a human right. Women are entitled to live in dignity and in freedom from want and from fear. Empowering women is also an indispensable tool for advancing development and reducing poverty. In order to find strategies for change at this crucial time, we are hosting a round table discussion meeting on “Women, Peace and Security: Strategizing to End Violence Against Women in India” on Friday, 1 Feb at 2pm to 4 pm at the Conference Room , Control Arms Foundation of India , B 5/146, First Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi 110029.

Eminent panelist of the event will include Mr Arvinn Gadgil, State Secretary from the Norwegian Ministry of Development; Ms Reecha Upadhyay, Independent Gender Consultant; Ms Nandini Rao, Delhi-based activist with the Citizens’ Collective Against Sexual Assault Representations from YWCA; Ms Monica Banerjee, Senior Programme Officer, National Foundation for India, Dr Deepa Ahluwalia: Sr. Project Advisor, National Mission for Empowerment of Women and Ms Binalakshmi Nepram Founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network & Secretary General, Control Arms Foundation of India amongst others. The panel will discuss issues and to strategize ways to end violence against women in India.

For more details contact :

Office of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network
B 5/146 First Floor, Safdarjung Enclave
New Delhi 110029

Email : cafi.communique@gmail.com

Website: www.womensurvivorsnetwork.org

* The announcement is being sent by Sujata RK, contact info sujata.rk3{at}gmail.com

The post Women, Peace and Security: Strategizing to End Violence Against Women in India appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Indian Council of Historical Research urged to include “histories” of Northeast India

The post Indian Council of Historical Research urged to include “histories” of Northeast India appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.Indian Council of Historical Research urged to include “histories” of Northeast India New Delhi,…

The post Indian Council of Historical Research urged to include “histories” of Northeast India appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Indian Council of Historical Research urged to include “histories” of Northeast India New Delhi, 15 Sept 2012: Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, Founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network had a meeting with Prof Basudev Chatterji, Chairman of Indian Council of Historical … Continue reading →

The post Indian Council of Historical Research urged to include “histories” of Northeast India appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Protests in Delhi Gathering Against Death of a Young Boy from Manipur Due to Negligence of Doctors

The post Protests in Delhi Gathering Against Death of a Young Boy from Manipur Due to Negligence of Doctors appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.Protests in Delhi Gathering Against Death of a Young Boy from Manipur Due to Negligence of Doctors New Delh…

The post Protests in Delhi Gathering Against Death of a Young Boy from Manipur Due to Negligence of Doctors appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Protests in Delhi Gathering Against Death of a Young Boy from Manipur Due to Negligence of Doctors New Delhi, 19 Sept 2012: Mutum Bony Jajo, a 21 year old, a brave young man from Sagolband Thangjam Leirak, Imphal West, Manipur … Continue reading →

The post Protests in Delhi Gathering Against Death of a Young Boy from Manipur Due to Negligence of Doctors appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

Northeast India Diaspora: Seek Collective Peace and Development in the Region

Northeast India Diaspora Meet for the First Time To Seek Collective Peace and Development in the Region New Delhi, July 1: The Control Arms Foundation of India in association… Read more »The post Northeast India Diaspora: Seek Collective …

Northeast India Diaspora Meet for the First Time To Seek Collective Peace and Development in the Region New Delhi, July 1: The Control Arms Foundation of India in association… Read more »

The post Northeast India Diaspora: Seek Collective Peace and Development in the Region appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.

International Campaign to stop rape and gender violence in conflict

THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO STOP RAPE & GENDER VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT 14 May 2012: We,… more »

THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO STOP RAPE & GENDER VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT

14 May 2012: We, the Control Arms Foundation of India and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network joined The International Campaign to Stop Rape & Gender Violence in Conflict that is the first ever global collaboration between Nobel Peace Laureates, international advocacy organizations, and groups working at the regional and community levels in conflict areas to stop rape and gender violence in conflict on 11 May 2012, 3-5 pm at India Gate.The Campaign was led by the women Peace Laureates of the Nobel Women’s Initiative and an Advisory Committee comprised of 25 organizations.

The International Campaign to Stop Rape & Gender Violence : CAFI

Stop Rape in Conflict

Rape in conflict is not a new phenomenon. But with increased data, research, and media visibility, we are able to demonstrate the widespread nature of gender violence around the world. Rape is no longer considered an inevitable part of armed conflict—evidence shows that it is employed as a strategic weapon to destroy people, communities, and entire nations.

Gender violence is a tactical weapon used by state security forces and armed groups alike. It includes rape, sexual slavery, forced pregnancy, sterilization, mutilation, and insertion of objects into cavities. In international law, rape and gender violence are considered a crime against humanity, war crime and rape can be a crime of genocide. The motives for conflict-related rape and gender violence are varied—ranging from tactical to personal. Rape is often used to destroy the social and cultural bonds of communities, gang rape can be used to create cohesion within army units, it can be used to ensure terror among the enemy or during looting. Rape continues to often be used as a weapon after peace has been negotiated, as various sides in conflicts struggle to demobilize and resume their lives alongside each other—often still fearing renewed clashes. Gender violence tears the social fabric of society apart, continuing to leave a deep impact on survivors and communities in the years after the attack and conflict. Medical problems such as sexually transmitted diseases or gynecological fistula, only compound the psychological trauma. Our collective efforts have brought gender violence to the forefront of policy and public discussions. Now, our united actions will stop rape in conflict.

On 11 May 2012, we the members of Control Arms Foundation of India successfully organized an awareness programme at India Gate, where more than 150 fliers were distributed to the public. Later we submitted memorandums to: President of India, Prime Minister of India, Women and Child Department of Govt of India

For more information, please contact:

Control Arms Foundation of India & Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network

Email: Binalakshmi{at}gmail{dot}com Mobile: +91-9891210264
Address for correspondence: B 5/146, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110029, India.
Phone: +9-11-46018541 Fax: +91-11-26166234.

Website /Blog: www.cafi-online.org & http://neiwip.blogspot.com

Press release is sent to KanglaOnline by A. Majaiibungo,Meetei Team Leader Research and Advocacy, Control Arms Foundation of India ,B 5 / 146, First Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi – 110 029, India

Email: majaicafi{at}gmail{dot}com