Shillong, June 18: At a meeting of Village and Locality Women’s Organisations of Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, held at Mawpat, Shillong , it was unanimously decided to form and constitute Ka Synjuk Ki Seng Kynthei Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep Coalition of Village and Locality Women’s Organisations in the land of U Hynniewtrep and for the purpose, ad-hoc Office bearers and Steering Committee members were elected at the meeting, viz.
The objective of froming this organization is to take up mainly on issues of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, bonded labour and for other purposes, leading to modern human slavery of women and children; domestic violence committed physically, mentally, psychologically and economically; sexual offences committed on children, denial of basic human rights to women, gender discrimination and prejudices and many other ills faced and borne by women and children, victims, concerned persons and women’s organisations may contact the President (91-9856129960) or General Secretary (91-8259041545) of the Coalition for necessary assistance. Confidentiality will be respected and maintained. The same may be done for other matters, concerns and issues pertaining to women and children.
At the opening session, Rev. Dr. P. B. M. Basaiawmoit, North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) informed that there are more than 3000 villages and localities within the land of U Hynniewtrep, i.e. as per government statistics and underscored the fact that each village and locality should have women’s organisation duly constituted and recognised by the Village/local durbar. He brought into focus many issues affecting women, viz.
Human trafficking and quoted Art. 3, para (a) of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime whereby it defines trafficking as “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of the force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour of services, slavery practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.” He informed that Government of India has brought relevant laws, viz. Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act, Bonded Labour Abolition Act, Child Labour Act and Juvenile Justice Act.
With regard to domestic violence, which include sexual abuse, physical, mental, economic and psychological violence, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 while sexual violence committed on a child or minor, there is the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Through the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) which is popularly known as the Bill of Rights for Women which came into force since 03 September, 1981, the UNO is with and supports women’s rights to equality in all spheres of life and activity and also there is the International Women’s Day observed every year on 08 March and this year’s theme is “Be bold for Change.”
He further call upon women to be serious and be proactive to mitigate climate change as global warming and climate hits women the most and the hardest. And encouraged them to hold their heads high, stand firm for rights and justice and be united to move forward as one voice of, by and for women.
Mrs. Sabita of the Women’s Action for Development (WAD) and of the Centre for Social Development (CSD), Imphal also addressed the opening session, sharing experiences and struggles of women in Manipur under the overwhelming overbearing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 and wish that this humble beginning of women coming together in Khasi and Jaintia Hills will be a source of strength and inspiration to women in the whole region who face plenty of difficulties and discrimination under patriarchal society.
The Protection of Children form Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, The Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act (DVA), 2005 and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted by the UN General Assembly as Resolution 34/180 on 18 December, 1979 and enforced since 03 September, 1981, were distributed to all who attended this meeting.
The adhock office bearer of the origination are, President – Mrs. P. Wallang, Vice-President – Mrs. T.T. Swer, General Secretary – Mrs. Apphira Sylliang, Asst. General Secretary – Mrs. S.T.W. Pakma, Treasurer – Mrs. Rihok Suchiang and Steering Committee members – Mrs. M. R. Lyngdoh, Mrs. Laksimai Kharsohtun, Mrs. Aidora Sylliang, Mrs. Listina Dkhar and Mrs. Helentina Kharjana. It was also decided that this ad-hoc body shall organize meetings of Village and Locality Women’s Organisations in strategic locations in all of the six Districts, i.e. East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills by October ending, 2017;
