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AWO steps up drive against rape |
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DIMAPUR, APR 23 (EMN): The frequent occurrences of rape in the Naga society and the horrific rape and murder of a 6-year old in Delhi seem to have rudely jarred
the society from its slumber with various organisations including the Women Commission coming out to tackle the barbaric crime.
The Angami Women Organisation today joined the crusade to check incidences of rape by initiating certain tradition-based measures ‘balanced with Christian compassion’ to be implemented in Kohima Town.
The AWO resolved that in case of any rape incident in any ward under Kohima town, the offender, irrespective of his background or social status will be excommunicated from his ward for a period of 7 years over and above the legal consequences.
In case a rapist is accepted into another ward/colony, the heinous crime of rape committed by his person will be made public through ‘poster campaign’, the women organisation decided. Moreover, the offender’s photograph along with his vital statistics will be published in all local papers and media, ‘compelling him to carry the shameful stain throughout his life.’
The decisions taken by the AWO executive was presented and accepted by a house comprising of women representatives from different wards and the major tribal women organizations of Kohima.
Pledging to stand firm on its resolutions and render assistance for implementation of the laws, the AWO has said it expects cooperation from all Kohima tribal women organizations and all ward women organizations.
A press statement issued by AWO president Medovino Dolie and publicity secretary Rokokhono Tacü stated disillusionment with government law agency and keepers of customary law in delivering justice to the victims of rape.
‘For so long womenfolk have shown their anger through rallies, processions and demands for fit punishments, but have instead found that justice has not been meted out by the government law agency nor by customary law’, the AWO said.
Stating that the solution to the menace has to be initiated from the family-level, the AWO called upon every mother to play her role in inculcating life’s values rather than shifting the responsibility to the schools and churches.
Mothers have been urged to take up the responsibility to protect their own ‘even if it is the responsibility of the government to protect women from such crimes.’
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