Morung Express News
Kohima | November 26
Observing the 16 days campaign on violence against women, the North East Network (NEN) organized a painting and photography competition for students and young people on November 26, at T.T stadium, Kohima.
The concept behind organising the event entailed a larger significance in addressing violence against women. Although, violence occurs on both men and women, NEN viewed that the preset conditions such as misconceptions, belief systems and the patriarchial set up of the society places women and girls at a larger vulnerable situation than that of men.
Giving the opening remarks for the event, Hravei David, NEN stressed on the concept of Human Rights in relation to women's rights, which for quite a long time failed to address the violation of women's rights. Women were denied voting rights and access to education, and political rights were secluded from women.
The 16 days activism on violence against women which is an International Campaign, initiated by the Centre for women's Global Leadership (CWGL) in 1991, begins from November 25 (International Day against Violence Against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day) to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize such violence as violation of human rights.
NEN further viewed that only a radical shift in consciousness, and bolder, creative, and determined actions can bring about change. "We must do everything in our power to have their voices heard- and to make them visible- whether that is through political, social, cultural or artistic actions. Change can happen if we harness our creativity and energy. There is nothing more powerful than art as a tool of social transformation," affirmed David.
With the international theme, "From Peace in the home to peace in the world- Make education safe for all', the event hopes to bring together the youth, educational institutions, the government, women organisations, representatives of CSOs, NGOs and media. The photography and painting competitions are based on the themes, ‘Gender stereotyping/ transforming gender relations in the 21st century,’ ‘Challenging gender inequalities, and Safe Public spaces and structures.’
11 participants from Model Christian College, Mt. Olive College, and Bethel Higher Secondary School took part in the painting and photography competition.
