Binalakshmi Nepram Honored with “The Telegraph Northeast Excellence Award 2017”

Guwahati/Imphal, 11 September 2017– In yet another good news for people of Manipur, the state’s own much highly recognized daughter, often known as “The Face & Voice of Northeast”, Ms. Binalakshmi Nepram has been awarded “The Telegraph Northeast Excellence Awards 2017″. This prestigious award was given for her relentless work for the region. The awards […]

Guwahati/Imphal, 11 September 2017– In yet another good news for people of Manipur, the state’s own much highly recognized daughter, often known as “The Face & Voice of Northeast”, Ms. Binalakshmi Nepram has been awarded “The Telegraph Northeast Excellence Awards 2017″. This prestigious award was given for her relentless work for the region. The awards […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2017/09/binalakshmi-nepram-honored-with-the-telegraph-northeast-excellence-award-2017/

Binalakshmi Nepram at Inter-generational Dialogues on the Sustainable Development Goals at UN Headquarters

2 August 2017: Manipur born, renowned writer, social activist, Ms Binalakshmi Nepram spoke at Plenary Session on 1 August 2017 at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Inter-generational Dialogue on Sustainable Development Goals. Governments and people & NGOs from different walks of life numbering over 500 gathered at this important event held at UN […]

2 August 2017: Manipur born, renowned writer, social activist, Ms Binalakshmi Nepram spoke at Plenary Session on 1 August 2017 at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Inter-generational Dialogue on Sustainable Development Goals. Governments and people & NGOs from different walks of life numbering over 500 gathered at this important event held at UN […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2017/08/binalakshmi-nepram-at-inter-generational-dialogues-on-the-sustainable-development-goals-at-un-headquarters/

Manipuri Writer Activist Ms Binalakshmi Nepram Threatened/Harassed by Manipur State Police Forces For Her Support for Justice for Women Survivors of State

Noted Manipuri writer, humanitarian activist Ms Binalakshmi Nepram has reported being threat/harassment by Manipur State Police force. The incident happened on 12 May 2017 when a whole heavily armed Manipur State police force descended on Ms Nepram’s parental house in Imphal, Manipur in Northeast India that borders Myanmar. Ms Nepram feels that this is done […]

Noted Manipuri writer, humanitarian activist Ms Binalakshmi Nepram has reported being threat/harassment by Manipur State Police force. The incident happened on 12 May 2017 when a whole heavily armed Manipur State police force descended on Ms Nepram’s parental house in Imphal, Manipur in Northeast India that borders Myanmar. Ms Nepram feels that this is done […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2017/05/manipuri-writer-activist-ms-binalakshmi-nepram-threatenedharassed-by-manipur-state-police-forces-for-her-support-for-justice-for-women-survivors-of-state/

Manipuri Writer Activist Ms Binalakshmi Nepram Threatened/Harassed by Manipur State Police Forces For Her Support for Justice for Women Survivors of State

Noted Manipuri writer, humanitarian activist Ms Binalakshmi Nepram has reported being threat/harassment by Manipur State Police force. The incident happened on 12 May 2017 when a whole heavily armed Manipur State police force descended on Ms Nepram’s parental house in Imphal, Manipur in Northeast India that borders Myanmar. Ms Nepram feels that this is done […]

Noted Manipuri writer, humanitarian activist Ms Binalakshmi Nepram has reported being threat/harassment by Manipur State Police force. The incident happened on 12 May 2017 when a whole heavily armed Manipur State police force descended on Ms Nepram’s parental house in Imphal, Manipur in Northeast India that borders Myanmar. Ms Nepram feels that this is done […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2017/05/manipuri-writer-activist-ms-binalakshmi-nepram-threatenedharassed-by-manipur-state-police-forces-for-her-support-for-justice-for-women-survivors-of-state/

Binalakshmi Nepram selected by Prestigious Colombia University, New York, USA

Imphal, Manipur, 5 May 2017: Noted humanitarian, author, civil & gender rights activist from Manipur has been selected by Columbia University, a top American University based in New York for their programme starting 22nd May 2017 on Rights of Indigenous People. The programme is aimed to understand the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of […]

Imphal, Manipur, 5 May 2017: Noted humanitarian, author, civil & gender rights activist from Manipur has been selected by Columbia University, a top American University based in New York for their programme starting 22nd May 2017 on Rights of Indigenous People. The programme is aimed to understand the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2017/05/binalakshmi-nepram-selected-by-prestigious-colombia-university-new-york-usa/

Binalakshmi Nepram selected by Prestigious Colombia University, New York, USA

Imphal, Manipur, 5 May 2017: Noted humanitarian, author, civil & gender rights activist from Manipur has been selected by Columbia University, a top American University based in New York for their programme starting 22nd May 2017 on Rights of Indigenous People. The programme is aimed to understand the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of […]

Imphal, Manipur, 5 May 2017: Noted humanitarian, author, civil & gender rights activist from Manipur has been selected by Columbia University, a top American University based in New York for their programme starting 22nd May 2017 on Rights of Indigenous People. The programme is aimed to understand the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2017/05/binalakshmi-nepram-selected-by-prestigious-colombia-university-new-york-usa/

Climate change and conflict: Manipuri women are fighting a war for survival on two fronts

Rucha Chitnis Lalzamien observed that the rains had become capricious. The farmer from Churachandpur district of Manipur reminisced about ai-ruo, the November rain that brings out the crabs that crawl on the wet, muddy earth. In the Hmar dialect, ai is crab and ruo is rain. Such a name for the rain elucidates how closely […]

Rucha Chitnis Lalzamien observed that the rains had become capricious. The farmer from Churachandpur district of Manipur reminisced about ai-ruo, the November rain that brings out the crabs that crawl on the wet, muddy earth. In the Hmar dialect, ai is crab and ruo is rain. Such a name for the rain elucidates how closely […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2017/04/climate-change-and-conflict-manipuri-women-are-fighting-a-war-for-survival-on-two-fronts/

From Non-Violence to Peace: Commemorated 69th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi

New Delhi, 30 January 2017 – Control Arms Foundation of India and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network on the occasion of the 69th year of martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi organised a panel discussion and film screening at CAFI conference Hall in New Delhi on 30 January 2017. On 30th January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was shot […]

New Delhi, 30 January 2017 – Control Arms Foundation of India and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network on the occasion of the 69th year of martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi organised a panel discussion and film screening at CAFI conference Hall in New Delhi on 30 January 2017. On 30th January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was shot […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2017/01/from-non-violence-to-peace-commemorated-69th-anniversary-of-the-martyrdom-of-mahatma-gandhi/

Help at Hand for Women in Distress- Control Arms Foundation of India Launched a Women Support Centre in Delhi

New Delhi, 14 January 2017- Control Arms Foundation of India along with Multiple Action Research Group and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network inaugurated its Delhi Women Support Centre on 14th January 2017 in Safdarjung Enclave of South Delhi. The aim of this Women Support Centre is to provide relief, rehabilitation and legal assistance to survivors […]

New Delhi, 14 January 2017- Control Arms Foundation of India along with Multiple Action Research Group and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network inaugurated its Delhi Women Support Centre on 14th January 2017 in Safdarjung Enclave of South Delhi. The aim of this Women Support Centre is to provide relief, rehabilitation and legal assistance to survivors […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2017/01/help-at-hand-for-women-in-distress-control-arms-foundation-of-india-launched-a-women-support-centre-in-delhi/

Binalakshmi meets Dr Thant Myint-U in Yangon

Founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network & CAFI Ms Binalakshmi Nepram met with former United Nations Secretary General’s grandson Dr Thant Myint-U in Yangon, Myanmar last week. The meeting which lasted almost two hours was held in historic U-Thant House that was home to the U-Thant family for 6 years from 1951 to 1957. […]

Founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network & CAFI Ms Binalakshmi Nepram met with former United Nations Secretary General’s grandson Dr Thant Myint-U in Yangon, Myanmar last week. The meeting which lasted almost two hours was held in historic U-Thant House that was home to the U-Thant family for 6 years from 1951 to 1957. […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2017/01/binalakshmi-meets-dr-thant-myint-u-in-yangon/

Representation of Women in Peace Negotiation Bill 2016 submitted to Parliament of India

13 December 2016, New Delhi – On the commemoration of historic Nupi Lan or Women’s War of 1904 and 1939 held on 12 December at Constitution Club, Members of Parliament gave assurance to work to include history of Nupi Lan in history books, ensure women in decision making. Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network is also […]

13 December 2016, New Delhi – On the commemoration of historic Nupi Lan or Women’s War of 1904 and 1939 held on 12 December at Constitution Club, Members of Parliament gave assurance to work to include history of Nupi Lan in history books, ensure women in decision making. Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network is also […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/12/representation-of-women-in-peace-negotiation-bill-2016-submitted-to-parliament-of-india/

Ensure Women in Decision Making Processes for peace and Developments

1 December 2016, New Delhi – The first historic resolution on Women, Peace and Security, Security Council Resolution 1325 (SCR 1325), was unanimously adopted by United Nations Security Council on 31 October 2000. UNSCR 1325 marked the first time ever in history of United Nations that the UN Security Council addressed the impact of armed […]

1 December 2016, New Delhi – The first historic resolution on Women, Peace and Security, Security Council Resolution 1325 (SCR 1325), was unanimously adopted by United Nations Security Council on 31 October 2000. UNSCR 1325 marked the first time ever in history of United Nations that the UN Security Council addressed the impact of armed […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/12/ensure-women-in-decision-making-processes-for-peace-and-developments/

Interactive meeting at Aizawl calls for gender just society

Aizawl, Nov 14: Control Arms Foundation of India along with Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network in collaboration with Public Administration of Mizoram University conducted an interactive meeting on “Working towards ensuring Mizoram State Diversity Poli…

Aizawl, Nov 14: Control Arms Foundation of India along with Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network in collaboration with Public Administration of Mizoram University conducted an interactive meeting on “Working towards ensuring Mizoram State Diversity Policy and Ensuring a Gender Just Society” on November 14 at Zarkawat, Aizawl, Mizoram.

The post Interactive meeting at Aizawl calls for gender just society appeared first on The Sangai Express.

Read more / Original news source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/interactive-meeting-aizawl-calls-gender-just-society/

A Clarion Call to Develop a State Diversity Policy and Call for Anti Racial Law in Assam

Control Arms Foundation of India along with Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network in collaboration with Chars and Rural Development Society conducted a successful state level meeting on ” Ensuring Diversity, Women’s Right and Democracy in India: Working Towards Ending Racial Discrimination & Gender Based Violence on 11 November 2016 at Phukan Hall, Don Bosco Institute Kharguli, Guwahati, Assam.Addressing […]

Control Arms Foundation of India along with Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network in collaboration with Chars and Rural Development Society conducted a successful state level meeting on ” Ensuring Diversity, Women’s Right and Democracy in India: Working Towards Ending Racial Discrimination & Gender Based Violence on 11 November 2016 at Phukan Hall, Don Bosco Institute Kharguli, Guwahati, Assam.Addressing […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/11/a-clarion-call-to-develop-a-state-diversity-policy-and-call-for-anti-racial-law-in-assam/

MWGSN partners with NECTAR to empower women in Manipur and NE states

NEW DELHI, October 17: The Manipur Women Gun Survivor Network (MWGSN), a project of the Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) has entered into a partnership with North East Centre for Technology Application and

A woman named Rozi spinning yarn

NEW DELHI, October 17: The Manipur Women Gun Survivor Network (MWGSN), a project of the Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) has entered into a partnership with North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), an autonomous body under Department of Science & Technology, said a press release by CAFI.

It said, the partnership was made to expand the economic empowerment and livelihood possibilities for women members of MWGSN.

After the success of the handloom and handicraft display in Delhi  titled “Women Weaving Peace Together: Ima Keithel, A Northeast Bamboo Craft and Weaving Exhibition” held at India International Centre, New Delhi, from Sep 21-Sep 25, the two agencies are preparing the ground work for opening up economic empowerment and livelihood possibilities for its members, stated CAFI in the press release.

It said, NECTAR will support the technology input and has already provided funding for 50 looms, which would be installed in the existing MWGSN’s worksheds in Imphal and Bishnupur District of Manipur, and moreover has provided support for raw material purchase to kick-start production and has also offered to provide marketing support through their website.

The partnership will be expanded to support training, technology and livelihood in Manipur and other north-eastern states, stated CAFI in the press release.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/mwgsn-partners-with-nectar-to-empower-women-in-manipur-and-ne-states/

Binalakshmi Nepram wins L`Oreal Paris Femina Women Awards 2015

IMPHAL, March 30: Binalakshmi Nepram has been awarded the L`™Oreal Paris Femina Women Awards 2015 in the category of `Face of A Cause`. This is the first time any Manipuri

IMPHAL, March 30: Binalakshmi Nepram has been awarded the L`™Oreal Paris Femina Women Awards 2015 in the category of `Face of A Cause`. This is the first time any Manipuri or from Northeast Region has ever won such an award.

Bina Femina Award

Bina Femina Award

The awards were given away in Mumbai last week at a ceremony held at The Leela.

In a statement issued by Femina, Ms Nepram was recognized and honoured for continuously and selflessly striving to make this world a better place. Femina also stated that women like Ms Nepram are `Women of worth who have been silently working for various causes and issues concerning the society`¦ woman with extraordinary accomplishment, outstanding leadership qualities and exceptional commitment to her career and community`.

In a statement issued by Ms Nepram, she said, `In honouring me, Femina has honoured the women of Manipur and Northeast India`. She dedicated the award to the brave mothers of Manipur & Northeast India who through their sheer grit and determination have steered the course of history of state and region inspite of over 60 years of armed conflict. She vowed that she will be working with several women across Manipur and region to bring about much needed change for peace and progress.

Audience in the hall that witnessed the ceremony included Ashwariya Rai, Katrina Kaif, Sonam Kapoor, Ritu Kumar, Neha Dhupia, Supriya Pathak, Tanistha Mukherjee, Huma Qureshi amongst many thousands of other whos who in country.

Ms Nepram polled over 120,000 votes to win the award besides a selection by an eminent group of jury that consists of Ritu Kumar, Ashwini Natchappa, Supriya Pathak etc

Born to parents Nepram Bihari and Yensembam Ibemhal, Ms Nepram hails from Sagolband Nepra Menjor Leikai.

Ms Nepram is poet, author of 4 books and is founder of award winning organization Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Control Arms Foundation of India.

She is recipient of several national and internationally recognized awards for her work on women led initiatives for peace and downtrodden women survivors of armed conflict in Manipur and Northeast Region.

In January 2015 prestigious Forbes (India) Magazine named her as one of `24 Young Minds to Watch out for in 2015` and London based organization, `Action on Armed Violence` named Ms Nepram as one of top 100 influential people in world working on armed violence reduction.

Whole of Manipur and Northeast Region has been celebrating Ms Nepram`™s win since news of award came in, a first ever win by any Manipuri or a Northeastern.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/binalakshmi-nepram-wins-loreal-paris-femina-women-awards-2015/

Global Peace Makers : Binalakshmi Nepram Meets Former US President, Jimmy Carter & Kofi Annan in Oslo

New Delhi,23 June 2014: Noted woman civil rights activist,writer & humanitarian, founder of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network from Northeast Indian state of Manipur, Ms Binalakshmi Nepram attended the

New Delhi,23 June 2014: Noted woman civil rights activist,writer & humanitarian, founder of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network from Northeast Indian state of Manipur, Ms Binalakshmi Nepram attended the prestigious Oslo Forum which was successfully held last week on 18 and 19th in Oslo, Norway.

 

Bina with Former US President Jimmy Carter

Bina with Former US President Jimmy Carter

The Oslo Forum is one of the leading global network of conflict mediation practitioners. In the past, a number of high-level participants including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Gerry Adams, Mohammad Khatami, Martti Ahtisaari, Bono, and many other luminaries have participated in the Forum. The Oslo Forum have also hosted several Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Leading mediators representing governments and regional organisations as well as key United Nations actors charged with negotiating peace were also present.

 

Bina with Kofi Annan

Bina with Kofi Annan

In her visit to Oslo last week, Ms Nepram met with His Excellency Mr Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and spoke with President Jimmy Carter who is the 39th President of USA. Ms Nepram gave to both dignitaries the beautiful Leiroom woven by the women of Manipur which was received with great warmth by President Jimmy Carter. Ms Nepram also met and spoke with Mr Tim Sebestian, founder of BBC Hard Talk besides several dignitaries who are engaged in peace talks around the world

 

In a statement issued after her return from Oslo, Ms Nepram said, “My participation at Oslo Forum sincerely will go a long way in ushering much needed peace in 60 decades of violence that has engulfed India’s Northeast region. Citizens across Northeast region too aspire for peace,progress,development and hope this is achieved with collective,sincere,dedicated,united efforts of all. 45 million people of India’s Northeast deserve to live with dignity,without war and loss of lives. I went in peace and have returned with lessons for finding peace for us all. The journey for peace have begun and this time it will be led by women of the Northeast”.

 

Contact~Office of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network & Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace

Email : cafi.communique@gmail.com

Phone: +91-11-46018541 Fax: +91-11-26166234
Web: www.womensurvivorsnetwork.org / www.cafi-online.org

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/global-peace-makers-binalakshmi-nepram-meets-former-us-president-jimmy-carter-kofi-annan-in-oslo/

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

unnamed

Peace Volunteers trained to mitigate conflict in India’s Northeast

Delhi/Imphal, 5 April 2014: Northeast India comprises the contiguous Seven Sister StatesArunachal PradeshAssamManipur,MeghalayaMizoramNagalandTripura 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, Manipurexplained 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.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/04/peace-volunteers-trained-to-mitigate-conflict-in-indias-northeast/

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

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

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-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

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

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/04/women-in-south-asia-to-strengthen-efforts-for-peace-security-and-disarmament/