Emphasis laid on preventing crimes against women in Assam tea gardens

OUR CORRESPONDENT

TINSUKIA: To mark the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the district administration of Tinsukia, in collaboration with Women Safety Accelerator Fund (WSAF), organized a multi-stakeholders' conference on Thursday at DC's conference hall with Narsingh Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia, in the chair.

Emphasis was laid on collaborative action towards preventing and eliminating different forms of violence against women and girls in all 122 tea gardens in the district. The meeting was well represented by representatives of different tea gardens along with officials from department of law, labour, police, social welfare, health, education and representatives from MSK, district women cell, ABITA and other social organizations.

Issues of early marriage, domestic violence, harassment in public place (inside and outside the tea gardens), child sexual abuse, rape, abuse of women by in-laws, pressure for bearing son, trafficking of girls, absence of toilets increasing vulnerability and violence, etc. that are prevalent among the tea garden women were highlighted in the deliberations. Women leaders and Internal Committee members from tea gardens spoke how WSAF had impacted in their respective gardens.

DC Pawar suggested to build convergence of engagement in the tea gardens and urged to strengthen the women cells and adolescent clubs in all gardens. He also proposed the WSAF programme to be introduced in all tea gardens in a phased manner. The district administration will provide the required support and facilities to address violence against women in a concerted manner. A management handbook developed by WSAF pertaining to violence against women was released by Pawar during the conference.

The meeting ended with an oath and a signature campaign to create a safe and empowered workplace for women and girls. Pawar flagged off an awareness caravan, followed by a street theatre performed by Contact Base. Sarfraz Haque, ADC Tinsukia, Aparupa Borgohain, ADC, B. Mili, Assistant Labour Commissioner, and others participated in the meeting.

Also Read: War Increased Gender-Based Violence In Ukraine: UN Policy Paper

Also Watch: