Women Human Rights Defenders in North East India

Anna Beard
1/20/11
6:00 P.M.

This article discusses how Female Human Rights Defenders in North East India work to gain equality.  Author Anjuman Ara Begum, also discusses how and why it is nearly impossible for defenders to advance in their projects, as well as why it is hard for women to be involved in human rights demonstrations period. This article also gives specific examples of stories about a few of the courageous women and abuse they endured while defending their rights. One of the women is Birubala Rabha of Goalpara, Assam. She faced harassment from members of her community because she was working against witch hunting. After facing this treatment, she eventually had to escape from the village to save her life. Another woman named Parvati Thousen started an organization called Shakti Mahila Mandal. The organization began with an estimated 500 female supporters. Parvati's organization focuses on this issues of domestic violence and efforts to gain a peaceful society in her town, North Cachar Hills. Eventually Parvarti drew much attention due to her many supporters. Political parties harassed her and her number so supporters diminished significantly leaving very few. Despite her hardships and challenges,  in fear Parvarti continues her mission to bring peace.



Female Human rights defenders, as well as civilian women in north east India are suffering from many hardships that are preventing them from gaining equality in society. Some examples of these hardships are restricted mobility, interstate migration and trafficking, lack of resources and livelihood options for women and also issues in their educational opportunities. Another factor that is preventing women from progressing is gender violence. Men traditionally supersede women in India. This becomes problematic because women endure emotional, verbal and or sexual abuse. Women in north east India then are afraid to either defend themselves or they may choose to stay single by choice. Armed forces also pose a problem for women in India gaining equal rights because it restricts their mobility. In north east Indian the legislative process operates a slow pace, which causes delays justice and investigation. This process creates more difficulty for women human rights defenders because the law can be disregarded. In north east India the police suffers also suffers from corruption. Since the government is not in favor of the defenders, they must be extremely cautious as to how they work in this environment. A large issue with women in north east India gaining human rights is their absence in government. Female defenders are finding it extremely difficult to persuade a government they have little voice in. Education has become an extremely valuable tool in helping women defending their human rights. If women are educated, their is a higher chance they will defend their rights. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has taken action by reserving one third of the seats in Parliament and state legislatures for women. These women will over see projects regarding awareness-raising about the importance of women in society as a whole. They will specifically focus on their decision-making for society so they can increase the number of women in government services, higher political, administrative and judicial positions.

http://twocircles.net/2011jan20/situation_women_human_rights_defenders_whrds_north_east_india.html