Drawing attention to how human trafficking fuels violence against women, the North-East India Seminar for Women Leaders, held on November 7, deliberated on this wicked practice of violence against women and girls from across the region.
In his keynote address, Bishop Denis Panipichai, the Chairman – North East Regional Catholic Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC) Commission for women, stressed that crimes against women such as rape, domestic violence or trafficking for sexual exploitation were inexcusable and need to be stopped at all costs.
Pallabi Gosh, a well-known anti-human trafficking activist and researcher, was the resource person of the day. The responses to the presentation was given by Kanika Dhar from Guwahati Baptist Church; Pritty Sangma from CNI, Christ Church Guwahati; Catheleen Mary Pyngrope from Meghalaya, Shillong; Senseful Dkhar from Nongstoin, Meghalaya; Lucia Ronghangpi from Diphu, Assam; Elizabeth Rindingliani from Aizawl Mizoram and River Lincy from Jowai, Meghalaya.
The participants felt that human traffickers often use violence to scare and pacify the sufferers. Once engaged, the women usually find themselves in situations with cruelly curtailed freedom. Several times, they suffer extreme physical and mental abuse, including rape, imprisonment, forced abortions and physical brutality. The victims become isolated, losing ties with their former lives and families.
They also added that with better networking and understanding by women in particular, this vulnerable situation can and must be addressed. This was necessitated by the fact that violence against women does not only concern women, it concerns everyone, and the work to combat it must be done by all, they said.
They further elaborated that eradicating violence against women would enhance the dignity and human rights of women and girls and help prevent them from being trafficked. The need to address human trafficking cuts across all major issues. It is about human rights, peace and security and family well-being. Everyone has a role to play, be it in raising awareness, building partnerships, providing information, protecting victims or bringing the criminals to justice, they added.
Urging for all to unite to end violence against women in North East India, the women leaders appealed to the government departments, civil society, women’s organizations, young people, the media to join forces in addressing the violence against women and girls caused by human trafficking.
The concluding remarks was given by Lucy Vanlalhruaii from Aizawl Mizoram and the Concluding prayer and hymn was rendered by Catherine from Imphal, Manipur.
The chairman of the event was Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil, president of United Christian Forum North East India (UCFNEI) and the moderator was Sr. Sunanda SND the secretary of NEIRBC Commission for Women.
The opening prayer and hymn were recited by Rose Mary Rimbai and Cammy Pyngrope from Shillong, Meghalaya.