PRESS RELEASE: Disarm Domestic Violence in the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence

Posted on June 17, 2009 0 Comments57

Imphal/ Delhi, 17 June 2009: This is the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, and events are being held in 85 countries to draw attention to the human toll of small arms proliferation and misuse.

For women, the greatest risk of gun violence is in their own home. The statistics are shocking. Women are three times more likely to die violently if there is a gun in the house. Usually the perpetrator is a spouse or partner, often with a prior record of domestic abuse. For every woman killed or physically injured by firearms, many more are threatened.

This is why activists in Manipur and other parts of India are joining their colleagues from more than 28 countries to demand policies which would keep women safe from gun violence.

In Northeast India, Manipur Women Gun Survivor Network will commemorate the Day of Action in Imphal, Manipur in Northeast India today, 17 June 2009. Several women gun survivors, women leaders, women academicians, journalists and women civil society organisations of the state are expected to attend to commemorate the day of action. Prominent women include Smt Arambam Ongbi Memchoubi, Sahitya Akademi Award Winner, Smt. Y. Ibemhal Devi, Director, Manipur Public School, Smt. M. Sobita, Secretary, Women Action for Development and several others.

According to Binalakshmi Nepram, founder of the Network, “A report of the National Family Health Survey conducted in 22 States of lndia, Manipur stands 3rd place with a record of 43.9%, in the rate of domestic violence against women. This is an alarming trend as this is also a state which is completely flooded with small arms and light weapons as there is a state of armed conflict going on there. Over two dozen armed groups and several battalions of the Indian para-military operates here besides the Armed Forces Special Powers Act”.

Disarming Domestic Violence is the first international campaign aimed at protecting women from gun violence in the home. The main goal is to ensure that people with a history of domestic abuse are denied access to firearms, or have their licenses revoked. Of the nearly 900 million small arms in the world today, more than 75% are in the hands of private individuals – most of them men. Given this, women are paying a disproportionately heavy price for the multi-billion dollar trade in small arms.

Manipur Women Gun Survivor Network is a member of the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), which is pressing for spouses and partners to be consulted before a gun license is granted, as an essential measure to protect women. In many cases, the man who kills a woman has previously threatened or committed violence, without coming to the notice of police.

“This week is an opportunity for the government to announce its support for strong and effective policies to Disarm Domestic Violence. With so many people – and especially women – suffering from gun violence in Manipur and other parts of Northeast India, there is no time to lose. In Manipur alone 300 gun widows are created every year and this has to stop” said Ms Reena Mutum, Coordinatoor of the Manipur Women Gun Survivor’s Network.

During the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, the government should recognise that family killings are the only category of homicide in which women outnumber men as victims, and pledge to protect women in their homes. A major transformation of the existing social system is needed that would enable a woman citizen to live a life free from domestic violence  which is armed in nature.

Contacts:
For more information about local activities, contact Ms Reena Mutum, Coordinator, MWGSN at 09774357042 or Ms Binalakshmi Nepram at 09891210264.

For more details on week of action, log on to www.iansa.org

On 17 June 2009 the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence took place in Imphal, Manipur. For more information please click HERE

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