Introduction

Meitei community, which has a majority Hindu population, and Kuki tribe, which has a majority Christian population, have been engaged in ongoing ethical conflict because of the proposed ST (scheduled tribal) category reservation for the Meitei group (1). On July 20, 2023, a heart-wrenching viral video surfaced on Twitter, where two Kuki-zo tribal women were stripped, paraded naked, and allegedly sexually harassed by Meitei men on 4th May 2023(2). Prime Minister Hon. Narendra Modi addressed the situation in the state for the first time on July 20, 2023, saying: “The incident in Manipur is shameful for any civil society.”(2) Supreme Court took Suo motu cognizance of the video. “Using a woman as an instrument of perpetrating violence in a charged atmosphere is simply unacceptable in a constitutional democracy,” the court had emphasized in its order. (3) 

Sexual violence as an instrument of subjugation and humiliation

• Sexual violence is not just violence of human rights but also a sensitive public health issue that needs to be addressed. Survivors of sexual violence suffer from various physical and psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, even to the extent of committing suicide arising out of mental trauma.

• Throughout history, Sexual violence has often been used weapon by privileged oppressors to exploit and humiliate underprivileged people, in the name of nationality, religion, ethnicity, caste, or gender.

• We are obliged to realize that these under-reported numbers are not just mere statistics, but actual lives of the victim women, whose lives were traumatized and destroyed.

Safety and security measures for women and girls

National Commission for Women (NCW) – investigates and examines the safety issues of women and presents the reports and recommendations to the Central Government.

MoHFW has issued guidelines for medico-legal and psycho-social care for the survivors of sexual violence, which states that health professionals should ensure-

• “Rape” is a violation of bodily integrity and not a loss of honour.

•  Assault is an abuse of power and not an act of lust.

• Positive messaging such as “You are not responsible for rape”, “It is not about the clothes you wear” (10)

HELPLINE NUMBERS

• National Commission for Women Helpline – 7827170170

• Central Social Welfare Board -Police Helpline - 1091/ 1291, (011) 23317004

• Shakti Shalini – 10920

• Shakti Shalini - women's shelter - (011) 24373736/ 24373737

• Sakshi - Violence Intervention Center - (0124) 2562336/ 5018873

Online course for public servants and policymakers

WHO estimates that 1 in 3 women around the world face physical/sexual violence. Due to under-reporting and under-researched knowledge gaps in diverse women’s experiences of violence, the WHO-UN Women Joint Program on Violence Against Women Data and Measurement, in collaboration with Apolitical and the UN Special Program of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), launched an online course for public servants and policymakers, as policymakers play a critical role in prevention and response. (11)

Way Forward

Attacking vulnerable women and girls is to tempt, humiliate, and provoke the opposite group to facilitate further violence, which is essentially the result of the typical patriarchal mindset. If the violence was intended to exert dominance, it might have been directed toward powerful or physically strong members of the opposing group. Despite all the current measures, schemes, laws, and order implemented, the crime rate is not declining up to the mark.

*Yearly trends in rape-related crime rate per 100,000 women and girls reported in NCRB, 2001–2018 (12)

Role of family, friends, and community:

Survivors need support on all fronts. Family, friends, and health professionals have to ensure that survivors shouldn’t be held responsible for the assault. The survivors' road to rehabilitation is hampered by comments like, "She should have been careful," or "She should have resisted."(10)

Role of Sex Education in Prevention:

Culturally sensitive sexual education curriculum has to be implemented rigorously for school and college students, as many studies have shown its effectiveness in raising awareness about reproductive health issues and prevention of sexual assault, including intimate partner violence. (13)

Role of policymakers and decision-makers:

• In order for India to achieve the SDG goal of eradicating all kinds of violence against women and girls, it is urgently necessary to address reporting barriers and enhance the quality and extent of administrative data captured on sexual violence. (12)

• Special investigation units and speedy justice will encourage the victims to seek justice. (14)

• To address contemporary challenges, the involvement of NCW is vital for achieving long-lasting legislative solutions with required amendments.

• People with lived experiences have to be a part of policy and decision-making.

• Above all, the significant role played by political determinants should not be ignored.

Manipur violence is a stark reminder that when the safety and dignity of one person is violated then no one is protected against extremism, hatred, and mob mentality. It is our duty to guarantee that all these stringent laws and regulations are executed extensively rather than their mere existence on paper.

References

1.          Graeme B. Manipur violence: What is happening and why. BBC News (2023).

2.          Manveena S et al. Shocking video emerges of sexual assault in India’s Manipur state amid ethnic violence. CNN Updated 4:10 PM EDT, Fri July 21 (2023).

3.          Krishnadas R. SC stops CBI from recording statements of two Manipur women victims at noon. The HINDU (2023).

4.          Urvashi B. The other side of silence: Voices from the partition of India. (Penguin UK, 2017).

5.          “Let’s pay homage to 3 million killed, 200,000 women raped by Pak Army in 1971”: India. The HINDU (2020).

6.          Gomez, S. Post-war Sri Lanka: Specific needs of sexual violence victims/survivors and children born of rape. UN Women- Asia and the Pacific (2017).

7.          Khanna, R. Communal violence in Gujarat, India: impact of sexual violence and responsibilities of the health care system. Reprod Health Matters 16, 142–52 (2008).

8.          No one held in rape cases of Muzaffarnagar riots. Zee News (2013).

9.          Safety and Security of Women and Girls. https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1575574 (2019).

10.        MoHFW. Guidelines & Protocols: medico-legal care for the survivors/ victims of sexual violences. MoHFW https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/953522324.pdf (2014).

11.        WHO. New online course: How data can help to end violence against women. WHO https://www.who.int/news/item/28-08-2023-new-online-course--how-data-can-help-to-end-violence-against-women#:~:text=A%20new%20online%20course%20for,of%20Research%2C%20Development%20and%20Research (2023).

12.        Dandona, R., Gupta, A., George, S., Kishan, S. & Kumar, G. A. Administrative data deficiencies plague understanding of the magnitude of rape-related crimes in Indian women and girls. BMC Public Health 22, (2022).

13.        Tripathi, N. & Sekher, T. V. Youth in India Ready for Sex Education? Emerging Evidence from National Surveys. PLoS One 8, e71584 (2013).

14.        B.PAC. Top 10 Safety Measures which Must be Implemented for Women. B.SAFE, Child Safety, Women Safety (2020).