IMPHAL, Oct 26 - The cases of violence against women in Manipur is on the rise, according to a report compiled by an Imphal based NGO.
As many as 207 cases of violence against women has been reported in Manipur this year (till October 22) against 156 in 2011. The cases include missing (284), assault/injuries (194), rape (165), murder (88), suspicious death (17), and cyber crime (17).
The rising violence against women came up at a consultation workshop on �Gender, Human Right and Violence against Women� jointly organised by United NGOs Mission (UNM) and Women Action for Development (WAD) here on Friday.
The day-long consultation workshop was targeted at religious leaders, intellectuals, police, judiciary and victims. It was also attended by advocates, journalists� union leaders, NGO representatives and academics as resource persons.
Speaking on the occasion, SP Imphal West district Dr AK Jhalljit opined that the rise of the cases may be because of increase in population rate of the State. He observed that only about one per cent of such cases are genuine while about 99 per cent are �minor cases or addressable ones�.
The Police officer informed that women police stations have been opened in all the districts of Manipur to deal with cases related to women.
Speaking on �gender issue and women empowerment�, Director, Women Study Centre, Manipur University, Prof N Pramodini stressed the need for awareness and sensitisation activities to reinforce the people�s mind to end violence against women.
She observed, �The unequal distribution of power between men and women also have led to violence against women.� Empowerment of women should begin from the family, she added.
