To reduce perpetration of violence by men, there’s a need to engage men and boys in prevention of gender-based violence and in spreading awareness, said additional chief secretary of RDPR, MH Khan.
Khan was speaking at the state level workshop on ‘campaign against gender-based violence’ at Hotel Imphal on Tuesday. The workshop was organised by the Manipur State Livelihood Mission.
It may be noted that gender-based violence occurs at homes, in public, and at workplaces. Females are the primary victims of violence. There are fewer instances of male victims.
Pointing out that gender-based violence is deeply rooted in the social and cultural structures, norms, and values of a society, Khan said that male engagement is critical to ending violence and discrimination against women and girls.
Partnering with men as allies to establish positive gender attitudes is key to changing a culture that has historically reinforced gender-based violence.
Social Welfare director, Ng Uttam said, “Learn to speak out against gender-based violence when you see it is happening, or else it will continue like a normal act. In a family, a child experiencing abuse or neglect by a father to a mother, child witnessing violence in the home, community, or media or access to weapons may become a child accused of violence or crime. So, awareness of male is highly essential to prevent from violence in the family as well as to combat violence male need to change behaviour.
He also stressed on customary law that always tried to negotiate the legal matter. He said the customary law requires it to change immediately.
“Educate a child to say “No” when she or he doesn't want and educate a child to respect others “No”, said Uttam.
Mentioning some helpline numbers provided for women and girls or victims of violence or crime against women and girls, Uttam said there is a new emergency response system ‘112’ that responds quickly and others 181 also available to support and help.
Manipur State Women Commission chairperson Salam Ulka Devi said the state keep women in high status though crime or violence against women has not stopped but increasing. She also stresses the issue of increasing drugs users in the state also a main cause of violence against women.
She said prevention should start early in life, by educating and working with youth boys and girls promoting respectful relationships and gender equality is required in the state. Working with youth is a “best bet” for faster, sustained progress on preventing and eradicating gender-based violence, she added.
During technical session, resource persons spoke on experience and services on gender-based violence in the state, stigma around women coming for treatment of gender-based violence including psychological trauma, recognition gender-based violence in educational institution, gender responsive services in the state, challenges and way forward by police, redressal of grievances and available mechanism on gender-based violence.
