IMPHAL August 22: Many young women in the state who are widowed by unforeseen circumstances are reeling under meager earnings on daily basis. As our society is firmly based on traditional customs and norms has adversely affected to widows who are living in scrimpy earnings. The condition is rather severe to women who have been left behind by husband that succumbed to HIV/AIDS.
This was revealed during a one day awareness programme on vulnerable organized by Manipur Positive Women Network (MPWN+) held at Rising Youth Organization (RYO) ground located at Moirangkhom Bokul Makhong, Imphal west.
Tanuja Sharmi, secretary of MPWN+ during the function described that one of the main issues that these widows are facing in our society today is social gender discriminations and stigmatisms. In rural domains the conditions of the widows remain the same where the society look down upon them as ill-omened in social and religious gatherings whereas the situation of their counterparts in urban regions are rather relax. Imposition of social sanction to them has negative implications in their day today livelihood that survive on limited resources. Many of them fallen prey to easy earnings which are regarded as socially outrageous professions in our society. Tanuja added that such social discrimination has adversely affected in the income generation.
In order to give morale solace and support and to provide self reliance and independent Manipur Positive Women Network (MPWN+) was formed, Tanuja said.
She elaborated that the reasoned behind the one day awareness programme on vulnerable widow that was held today was to address on the current issues face by these women in their daily live and to create awareness on the benefits and welfare facilities provided by the central and state government for the widows in order to pave ways to come to the mainstream society.
Ph. Satyabhama devi, Advisor(MPWN+) presided the function while Samom Reeta Devi, councilor ward no.4 and A. Manisana Singh,local leader graced the one day awareness campaign as the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
In the mean time, prior to the today’s function, the MPWN+ had observed a two minute silence as mark of respect to late Elangbam Suraj Singh, MLA. Yaiskul a/c.
