NCW urges women to step up, initiate talks

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 27: For the ongoing conflict and the unrest to end and bring about peace, women of all com-munities residing in Manipur must step up and initiate talk. The women here must play a larger role in bringing norma-lcy, said Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women today.
She made the statement during a gender sensitisation workshop for the police, organised by the NCW and Manipur Police Training College, Pangei at 1st MR Banquet Hall, Imphal.
DGP Rajiv Singh and top officials of the Police Department and NCW mem- bers attended the workshop.
Highlighting the importance of gender sensitisation in the police force, Rekha Sharma said when handling crimes against women, the police must take up prompt actions without any discrimination based on gender and community.
She said there shouldn't be any difference between a policeman and a policewoman, and both should be referred to as police officers.
Rekha Sharma said it is the society that treats and perceives men and women differently.
It is the society that decides what a woman should or shouldn't do, and what women wear. This thinking has been passed down from generation to generation, she said.
She asserted that this thinking and social outlook must change, and the National Commission for Women has been working towards it.
For this change to come, she said, it is important for the police to be sensitised on gender based crimes. When a woman victim approaches, the police must take prompt action for swift delivery of justice, she said.
Rekha Sharma, also emphasised that the women in the North East India, particularly in  Manipur, are treated highly and empowered.
She said, the women here are able to make their own decisions, and this shows that women here are empowered.
However, women are often targeted and victimised in social unrest. This is very unfortunate. When such crimes against women occur, the police must respond swiftly without any discrimination based on gender, community and race, Rekha Sharma said.
On the ongoing conflict and unrest in Manipur, Rekha Sharma said the women of all the communities in the State must step up and initiate talks, and only then peace will return.
Women must play a larger role in bringing normalcy in the State, she added.