Impact of conflict on women discussed

Imphal, September 25 2009: Understanding the existing laws is essential to overcome difficulties being faced by women in conflict situation, Judicial Magistrate A Nautuneshwari Devi has stated.

Speaking as one of the guests of honour at the 14th foundation day celebration of All Manipur Democratic Women's Association at Manipur Press Club here today, Nautuneshwari observed that Manipuri women have been suffering under the impact of various conflicts right from the family to the issues of the State.

Ill-treatment and harassment is one of the biggest conflicts that womenfolk have been encountering in the family.

Over and above this, there is the conflict of lack of adequate food provisions, conflict of unemployment, armed conflict, etc.

In all these conflicts, it is the womenfolk who suffer the most.

In order to overcome these problems, every person and the womenfolk themselves in particular need to understand the existing laws, she said.

The foundation day function held under the theme of 'Problems of women in conflict situation in Manipur and education & social change' was attended by head of Political Science Department, Manipur University Prof Ksh Bimola Devi as chief guest and president of All Manipur Democratic Women's Association Y Romola Devi as functional president.

Principal of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School, Canchipur Ph Landhoni; former presidents of All Manipur Democratic Women's Association Th Thambalngoubi Devi and M Landhoni Devi; vice presidents of the Association L Taruni and Y Chandrabala Devi were also present as guests of honour.

In her address, Prof Ksh Bimola explained the word conflict has positive as well as negative connotation.

"If the conflict is positive, then it would lead to the path of development and if it is negative nothing but disaster.

"Since 1980, people of Manipur have been reeling under the impact of negative conflict.

Associate Professor of Economics Department, Manipur University Chinglen Maisnam, who attended the function as one of the resource persons, pointed out that over 6 lakh women in Manipur are still illiterate.

All Manipur Democratic Women's Association should pay attention towards the education of these illiterate women so as to utilise their power and strength.

Many advocates, college teachers and Meira Paibi leaders who were invited as resource persons also spoke on the theme of the conflict and the problems being faced by the women in Manipur.