Nagaland joins call to ‘End Violence Against Women Now!’

Car campaign marks launching of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 25

A car campaign in commemoration of international day for the elimination of violence against women and launching the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence with the theme ‘End Violence Against Women Now!’ took place in Kohima on November 25.

Nagaland DGP T John Longkumer flagged off the car campaign, which was led by Nagaland Adventure Club (NAC).

Addressing the function at Old MLA Hostel Junction Longkumer, IPS, reminded and reassured the women of Nagaland that there are constitutional and legal provisions available to combat this threat and ensure justice to all who are wronged.

He stated that the Indian Constitution through the Fundamental Rights and Directive policies of state policies laid the foundation for a just and egalitarian society where the dignity and respect of women are ensured. The legal provisions in the Indian Penal Code and CrPC (Amendment Act) 2013 enshrine preventive and punitive actions to safeguard the rights of women and girls. These laws are further bolstered by other laws like, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, (Prevention of) Immoral Traffic in Women’s and Girl Act, Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place 2013, POCSO Act 2012, The Prohibition of Child marriage Act, 2006, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986 and the IT Act 2000.

Longkumer mentioned that it has been the concerted effort of Nagaland Police to address the issue of violence against women and to this effect Women Police Stations and Anti-Human Trafficking units have been established in all the districts of Nagaland. Additionally Women Help Desks have been established in every police station to increase the outreach.
 
249 cases of violence against women reported in Nagaland
As per  data available with Nagaland Police, since 2018 to 2020 registered 249 cases of violence (crime) against women leading to arrest of 19 persons, rescue of 26 women and girl from human trafficking and rescue of 18 sex workers, he stated.

He said that despite the best efforts of law enforcing agencies, violence against women and girls continue to remain a widespread persistent human rights violation.

He said the campaign which was launched today, aim to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls by increasing awareness, promoting advocacy and creating opportunities for discussions on the challenge and solutions and assured that all grievances will be taken up expeditiously for redressal as per the law of the land.

NSCW calls for mass awareness, sensitization 
Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) chairperson Khrienuo Tachü said that car campaign was part of the kick off of the 16 Days of Activism, which will culminate on December 10. The 16 Days of Activism is observed worldwide to end all forms of violence against women. Mass awareness and sensitization is needed to stop sexual harassment, domestic violence, and the exploitation of women and girl child. As a community we need to identify and address the forms of violence against women that the present Naga society is faced with, she said.

She also said that every woman and girl should be able to walk freely and safely in the streets in any locality at any hour without fear, threat or harassment.

“We must ensure that our streets, colonies and market places are safe for women and girl child,” she said.

Tachü informed that NSCW is working together with several stakeholders to end all forms of violence against women and added that change must come from the grassroots.

NSCW is cooperating and working closely with tribal community leaders, colony and locality elders and church leaders to bring change and achieve concrete results, she said.

At the local level, Naga men and women must ensure that our streets, colonies and market places are safe for women and girl child, she said.

Social welfare director Michael Zaren and Nagaland State Legal Services Authority member secretary Victo Sema also spoke at the programme. The programme was jointly organized by Department of Social Welfare, NSCW, NSSWB, SRCW, Angawadi, Child Line and Women Helpline, KCCI, AKMWP, NAC, Sakhi One Stop Cetre. The programme was marked by distribution of IEC materials, flyers, posters, banners, etc.