Shillong, April 25: Today Monther Union of Garo Hills today held demonstration at the Chandmary Playground in Tura to protest against rampant sexual assaults,rapes and molestation committed against women and minors in Garo Hills. In just two weeks 6 to 7 cases have been reported and registered. This alarming rise in crime rate against women and children of tender ages seeks utmost attention from the concerned authorities.
After the gathering at Chandmary Playground, Mother Union submitted memorandum, to the Chief Minister Mr Conrad K Sangma, Home Minister K Sangma, health Minister AL Hek, to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police East of all the fince District in the Garo Hills region.
The Mother Union in the memorandum said that with full confidence that all are raising regarding this issue will be addressed by you personally, the Government of Meghalaya, the judiciary system, the Police, and the Medical department as a whole.
The gathering that was held today at Chandmary Playground is to display there anger and dissatisfaction at the manner in which the lives of women and children have been undermined by the hooligans, rapists, sexists and racist terrorizing them with beastly acts that shame their modesty and take their innocence away.
A physical attack against women by way of moral policing promotes a culture of violence that endangers women and children everywhere. This culture if it is not nipped in the bud will send the message that it’s okay to trivialize rape, to threaten women with physical abuse, and to sexually harass them in public places.
It is very alarming that these incidences are circulated in social Medias. Mother Union want politicians, police, the courts and public representatives not to live life as if these things aren’t happening in our society.The union want the government to be willing to deal with gender based violence and these social ills rigorously by ensuring that the existing legislations are being implemented by the law-enforcing agencies professionally and efficiently and in accordance with the Rule of Law in order that no offender gets away due to legal irregularities.
The Mother Union said that the Government need for revamping Women Police Cells in every District with full force and enough infrastructure - transportations, communications and audio- visual equipments, forensic kits in the Cells.
In the present context, the average doctor faces various medico-legal challenges in routine practice. The changing trends in society emphasize the need for forensically trained doctors, who have the expertise to handle cases of medico legal nature. It is imperative to re-orient practitioners on forensic procedures while dealing with victims of sexual assault to ensure that justice is served in such situations sensitively and with compassion.
Newly appointed medical officers must also be sensitised and familiarised regarding this very sensitive issue in order to avoid pitfalls while performing their duties in good faith. Frame protocols and guidelines for proper forensic medical examination and collection of medical evidence for all Medical officers in all medical institutions both in rural and urban.Set up of Special Court and special Judge for POCSO and VAW
The Mother Union also demanded that development programs which may include gender-sensitivity training, women’s health centres, among others should be initiated. Aside from stronger implementation of laws, penalties and convictions, and recovery programms.
Gender sensitization for both women and men, young and old, must be educated about human rights, women’s and gender issues, and the roles they play in ending discrimination The more informed women are, the more empowered they will be. And an empowered society has no room for violence.
One-day orientation programme on gender sensitization, professionals from relevant departments, such as police, lawyers, government doctors and social workers deliberated on this important topic is not enough. The issue is a rather complex one which cannot be solved overnight, but requires a constant concerted sensitization programs.Rehabilitation programs should also cover perpetrators to prevent them from falling into a cyclical pattern of abuse.
The Mother Union also said that violence against women and childrens is not only a crime, but also a gross violation of human rights. It does not only affect women’s physical and reproductive health, but especially their mental and emotional state.
The violence against women and children’s limits human development and curbs their capacity to participate in social development.The Union is hopeful that Meghalaya State will lead the way in implementing the Laws that ensures prompt prosecutions and convictions of sexual offenders against women and children.
