Celebrated on March 8, this year’s theme is ‘Gender Equality for a Sustainable Tomorrow’.
TFM Desk
On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, the proscribed umbrella outfit Coordination Committee (CorCom) asserted that the women in subjugated society are more oppressed than others. Observed on March 8, this year’s theme is ‘Gender Equality for a Sustainable Tomorrow’.
A statement issued by the Publicity Committee of the umbrella outfit, CorCom maintained that it has become more prudent to inform the world how the women of conflict ridden areas like WESEA are more oppressed than their counterparts across the world.
Pointing out that the United Nations has rightly put forward the idea of gender equality for the future, CorCom maintained that this year’s theme not only paves the way for future sustainable development, it also highlighted the need for saving the environment by equal participation of both men and women.
The day has been observed by the UN since March 8, 1975. On December 18, 1979, the UN General Assembly’s ‘Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women’ acknowledged the importance of equality and respect for women, it added.
Although the women in the western society acquired the knowledge about ‘Liberty, Equality and
Freedom’ due to the ‘Enlightenment’ movement, women in other parts of the world lagged behind, CorCom maintained. They were denied the “right to property) and adult suffrage (right to vote)”. Although the women of countries like the United States were able to vote in the early parts of the 20th century, Afro-American women were denied this right until 1965 after years of movements, it added.
CorCom further contended that as Hinduism believes in “expansionism”, the culture and tradition of indigenous communities have been suppressed and the role of women in various fields which existed before have been kept aside.
The armed umbrella outfit further maintained that the women of once an independent kingdom like Manipur (Kangleipak) in WESEA played key roles in economy, governance/administration, amongst others. But it has been degraded and entered a dark period ever since they came under colonialism, it added.
CorCom maintained that the “oppressive” systems like casteism, purdah system and Sati system were never part of WESEA, and added that under the influence of religion and cultural colonialism, the women have been kept far from the public sphere.
The statement by the outlawed umbrella outfit further stressed on equality and maintained that the “sustainable tomorrow” as put forward by the UN is not achievable at the moment.
Stating that Manipur was “forcefully annexed” by India in 1949, CorCom asserted that the subsequent imposition of the draconian AFSPA has been used to commit atrocities against women and violate human rights.
CorCom further maintained that the “martial law” has been imposed in WESEA under Article 34 of the Indian constitution. The statement by the attorney general of India at the Universal Periodic Review 2017 of the UN that AFSPA has been imposed only in certain areas only proved that India wants to impose the Act only at the periphery of the country, it added.
Stating that the representative democracy of India will never be able to work for the welfare of women, CorCom maintained that the UN’s ‘Sustainable Tomorrow’ is a far-fetched dream for the women of WESEA.
In a capitalist system in which India’s 60 percent of the GDP is controlled by the richest 6 percent of the population, gender equality is impossible, CorCom asserted.
Stating that the conservation of environment is not possible without an “independent government”, the umbrella outfit also recalled that in 2010, the right for the exploration of hydrocarbons at Jiribam and Tamenglong were given to Jubilian Oil and Gas Pvt. Limited in New Delhi without the consent of the people. Above this, a new endeavor has also been made for Palm oil plantations in WESEA, it said while stressing that the effect of environmental destruction is mainly faced by women.
Maintaining that men and women can only develop equally through “political freedom”, CorCom said gender equality can only be achieved only when there is an “independent government”.