TENGNOUPAL, NOVEMBER 25: Tengnoupal district marked the start of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence today with a district-wide campaign themed “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.” The initiative was jointly organised by the Centre for Women and Girls (CWG), District Administration Tengnoupal, Weaker Section Development Council, District Legal Service Authority Chandel, District Police Tengnoupal, and the All Tribal Women Organisation (ATWO) at the ZEO Relief Camp.
The programme began with a flag-off run from the DC Office to the ZEO Office, followed by an awareness event at the ZEO Relief Camp. Key dignitaries present included Md. Asghar Arzad, Additional Deputy Commissioner; Khulak Tothang Dangsawa, 2nd O/C, Tengnoupal Police Station; and Moikham Ronglo, President, ATWO.
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Delivering the keynote address, Hechin Haokip, Executive Director of CWG, noted the significance of November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. She highlighted that the global campaign, which runs until December 10—Human Rights Day, commemorates the Mirabal sisters, whose 1960 assassination galvanized resistance against the Trujillo dictatorship.
Haokip expressed concern over persistent violence against women and girls in conflict-affected and fragile regions, citing more than 120 cases reported to CWG from Tengnoupal and Chandel in the past five years. She pointed to the lack of essential infrastructure such as courts, women’s police stations, safe reporting systems, shelters, and trained personnel, which contributes to a climate of silence and impunity. She also raised alarm over the trivialization of sexual violence in some tribal customary practices and the growing threats of digital abuse targeting women and girls.
Calling for collective action, Haokip urged the community to strengthen humanitarian support, improve access to justice, and build survivor-centered services. She also stressed the need to promote women’s leadership in peacebuilding, governance, and online safety.
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Speaking at the programme, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Tengnoupal reiterated that the campaign is meant for the entire community and not only for women and children. He underscored the importance of instilling positive behaviour in children at home and highlighted the need to monitor the influence of modern technology and AI on young people to prevent digital forms of violence.
The event concluded with hand-print and slogan-writing activities centred on the campaign theme, with participation from Self-Support Groups, youth, village chiefs, women leaders, police personnel, and representatives from various NGOs.