Imphal, November 25 (MExN): Manipur reported 285 cases of crime against women from January to November 25, 2017. The total number of reported rape is 38 out of which 28 rape victims are minor with age ranging from 6 to 18 years. This was informed in a press release issued by the Women Action for Development (WAD) on the occasion of International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25. To protest against the violence against women, WAD will also observe the International Fortnight Observation from November 25 to December 10 with the theme “Leave No one Behind- End violence against women and Girls”. Raising concern that crime against women in the state is increasing day by day, the women body regretted that people are not taking the issues seriously. It revealed that in 2015, 62 women lost their life, while there were 36 deaths in 2016, and 52 this year till November 25. The cause of death according to reports based on local newspapers are murder, suicide, suspicious death, rape and murder, delivery death etc., WAD disclosed and added, “Most the victims/decease are from poor family background, single, widow, the family of giving birth to only girls etc.” Pointing out that unreported cases always outnumber the reported cases, WAD further disclosed that the reported cases were only from the four valley districts. “Cases from the hill districts are hardly reported because of prevailing customary practice on one hand and interference by armed non-state actors on the other hand,” it viewed. “Should we be silent when our daughters, sisters, mothers are being killed systematically and brutally,” WAD questioned while appealing for an end to violence against Women and Girls. “Let everyone, every family, come together and fight collectively to end violence against women and girls,” it urged.
