By Felix Anthony –
Miao: The Women Commission of Miao Diocese in Arunachal Pradesh marked the ‘International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women’ with animation and awareness events in Miao on 25 November 2020.
Inaugurating the event at Light of the World School auditorium, Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao Diocese highlighted the sharp increase in crime against women in North East India especially in the recent past. “Even though women in the North East India have traditionally enjoyed safer living condition, the recent trend in violence against women in the region is worrying”, he said.
Emphasising the need for awareness among men, the Salesian prelate said, “We do not fight just violence but we fight evil that includes the alarming number of abortions in our region”.
Sister Rose Abilu, the Headmistress of Light of the World School delivered the key-note address, drawing the attention of the participants on the various kinds of violence the women are subjected to. “North East India has become hotspot for human trafficking which is a cruel form of violence against women and that each of the participants today must pledge not to fall prey in the hands of traffickers”, said the Nun belonging to the congregation of Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC).
Mrs. Likro Mossang, the President of Women Association in Miao Diocese, addressing the participants that included girl students of grade 11 and 12, said that proper education and awareness is the right way to fight the violence against women and encouraged them to empower themselves with education.
The Secretary for Women Commission in East Arunachal Pradesh, Sister Mary Sarkar MSMHC, too spoke on the occasion.
A small event like this today is not going to end the violence against women all over the world but it will go a long way in spreading awareness among the participants especially the young students, said a woman leader from Miao, Mrs. Marina Wangsu, at her concluding remark.