WinG Manipur- kick off Campaign on 16 days on Protesting Violence Against Women Held At Imphal

Women in Governance-WinG Manipur
Campaign on
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
25 November – 10 December 2016
Theme of the year 2016
“ORANGE THE WORLD:
RAISE MONEY TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN”
-By raising resources for initiatives that aim to prevent and end violence against women and girls.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign which takes place each year. The campaign would highlight the connections between women, violence and human rights from 25 November to 10 December. The Campaign is widely organized as a strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
The three sisters, also known as the Mirabal Sisters, Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa, who were born in the Ciban Region of the Dominican Republic were assassinated in an accident on 25 November 1960. The brutal assassination of the Mirabal sisters was one of the events that helped propel the anti-Trujillo movement, and within a year, the Trujillo dictatorship came to an end.
Significant dates and days during the 16 days
25 November : International Day against Violence against women
1 December : World AIDS Day
6 December : Anniversary Montreal Massacre
10 December : International Human Rights Day
In support of this civil society initiative, each year, the United Nations Secretary-General’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women calls for global action to increase worldwide awareness and create opportunities for discussion about challenges and solutions. In 2015, the UNiTE campaign called on governments, UN entities, civil society organizations and individuals across the world to “orange the world” to raise public awareness about the issue of violence against women and girls. As the official colour of the UNiTE campaign symbolizing a brighter future free from violence against women and girls, the colour orange was once again a uniting theme throughout all events. The initiative called on all people in all parts of the world to orange the world and step up the efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls.
In 2015, a new global development agenda was accepted by all countries and is applicable to all. Through its 17 goals, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development guides global policy and action for the next 15 years. The Agenda recognizes gender equality and the empowerment of women as a key priority and pledges that “no one will be left behind”. Goal 5 of the agenda aims to “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” and includes specific targets to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. For the first time, ending violence against women and girls has become a core part of the global development agenda.
However, despite the international community’s visible interest and political will to address the global pandemic of violence against women and girls, there is still a lack of adequate and sustained resources to translate the national efforts into effective programmes and practices that make positive changes in the lives of women and girls. One of the major challenges to efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls worldwide is the substantial funding shortfall. As a result, resources for initiatives to prevent and end violence against women and girls are severely lacking. The gap between binding commitments, laws and policies in place and the lived experiences of women and girls who should benefit from them is still far too wide. Therefore, acknowledging the imperative of addressing violence against women must be followed by securing adequate and durable resources to increase efforts to prevent violence, provide survivors with access to available essential services and to justice, and ensure that laws and policies are implemented to real effect.
This is why the UN Secretary- General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign invites governments, UN agencies, civil society organizations and individuals from all countries of the world to mark the days between 25 November and the 10 December (the 16 Days of Activism) by coming together to raise resources for local and national initiatives that work to prevent and end violence against women and girls.
16 days campaign against gender based violence in Manipur
Women in Governance, Manipur is a network of women across communities and ethnic lines in Manipur working towards promoting leadership at all levels ( from family to community and society at large) and creating visibility for women. It comprised of women organizations, women CBOs, activist, development workers, local women who are living with HIV, Victims and survivors of violence. It facilitates victimhood to change agents for addressing women’s right and promoting gender justice for effective participation of women in decision making.
Since 2009, WinG Manipur has been observing the global 16 Days Campaign to end violence against between 25th Nov to 10 Dec. It has been observing the campaign in different forms- Penal Discussion in TV Channels and All India Radio, Street Corner meetings, Poster Campaign, T shirt Campaign, District and state level observations, etc,. The campaign aims to create awareness about gender based violence as human rights issue, strengthening local networks for working on violence against women, advocating government to implement promises to eliminate violence against women and show solidarity to the global movement to end gender based violence.

WinG- Manipur put forth a Charter of Manipur and relevant department on the following points:
1. WinG Manipur urge the authority to set up wpmen police station in every district of Manipur and provide trainings and job opportunity for women in security sector.
2. We stand for peace and security for women and hence demand the state government to end militarization and to develop economic security policy for women in need particular economic packages for gun widows and those husbands killed as a result of conflict and militarization.
3. WinG Manipur demands the State Government of Manipur to set up VISCERA LABORATORY and fast Tract Court in the State.
4. To ensure Women in Governance and provide equal opportunity for women in political participation, WinG- Manipur demand for 33% women reservation in Village Authority, Autonomous District Councl and State Assembly.
5. It is a concern for WinG- Manipur that the state government do not have a Gender Policy and special budget for women. We hereby demand the government to ensure Gender budget in the state as early as possible.
6. WinG Manipur appeal all civil society organizations especially customary leaders, elders or tribe council to initiate steps for women land and property rights.
7. We demand urgent appointment of women member secretary of Manipur State Commission for Women.
8. WinG Manipur demand Govt. of Manipur to reactivate State Human Rights Commission.

Signed:
1. Nonibala Narengbam, Convenor WinG Manipur of Thoubal District
2. Mary Beth Sanate, Co- Convenor WinG Manipur of Churachandpur District
3. Helam Haokip, Steering Committee WinG Manipur of Senapati District
4. Khaling Shangnaidar Tonthang, Steering Committee WinG Manipur of Chandel District
5. Leimapokpam Rebati, Steering Committee WinG Manipur of Bishnupur District
6. Jayenti Keishing, Steering Committee WinG Manipur of Ukhrul District
7. Kaidem Tamphasana, Steering Committee WinG Manipur of Imphal West District