NEN to observe 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

DIMAPUR — North East Network (NEN) will observe the global campaign on ‘16 days of activism against gender-based violence’ from November 25 to December 10 on the theme "Together we rise, together we unite for violence-free communities for women and girls."

It informed that NEN started the campaign in the North East Region (NER) of India in 2002 and has been observing it since then, in collaboration with various partners. It is a call to ensure public responsibility and state accountability to end all forms of gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls and protect their human rights at all times.

NEN reaffirmed its position that women and girls must be safe in homes, public spaces, educational institutions and workplaces. It has condemned the global wars in Palestine, Ukraine, Afghanistan and the internal conflicts in Manipur in which a large number of women, girls and children have been killed, murdered and sexually assaulted.

“Such brutal violence must end now. We call for sustainable peace across all communities in the world,” NEN stated.

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It stated that globally, an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three— are been subjected to gender-based violence at least once in their lives. It added that Nagaland, which is considered one of the safest states in India for women, saw a 38.46% jump in ‘crime against women’ in 2021 (NCRB). It stated that registrations of cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 in Nagaland tripled from 2020 to 2021, with high pendency of cases.

Recognising gender-based violence as a human rights violation and acknowledging the increase in crimes against women, NEN has planned various activities across Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland by bringing together different stakeholders including both government and non-government agencies.

This year, NEN Nagaland would be focus on bringing together diverse stakeholders and creating awareness around issues of child sexual abuse (CSA) through the personal safety education programme (PSEP) with students, children, parents and teachers.

The event will be organised in five locations namely Chizami, Chümoukedima, Kohima, Pfutsero, and Shamator, amplifying social messages and addressing issues aligning with the 16 days of activism.

An awareness programme on child sexual abuse and preventive measures for mother would be held in Kohima on November 25, in collaboration with Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA), Kohima.

A programme on personal safety education awareness for Sunday school children would be held in Pfutsero and Chizami New Town on November 26, in collaboration with Pfutsero Town Baptist Church and Chizami Town Baptist Church.