Sanalembi Devi, a social activist of the region has started from Silchar in Assam for 16 days campaign Against Gender Based Violence across eleven districts of Assam.

16 days of activism against gender based violence is an international campaign that takes place each year, which commences from 25th November on the International Day for the elimination of violence against women and and concludes on 10th December on the Human Rights Day.

Sanalembi Devi along with Sumana Roy a survivor of domestic violence and gang rape will be travelling different parts of Assam where they are going to meet the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, protection officer, district legal service authorities and others in order to understand the issues faced by the victims.

Sanalembi citing the reports of Assam Police informed the gathering that in the year 2018 cruelty by husbands (11999 cases) are highest type of violence against women registered followed by kidnapping of women/girls (6269 cases), molestation (4143), rape (1909), dowry related death is reported to be 166 and trafficking 70.

Laya Madduri the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar who flagged off the 16 days campaign while complementing Sanalembi stated that one of the champion of the cause in the region more such women should be courageous enough to come out and assert their rights.

Pointing out one of the root cause of the menace, the Deputy Commissioner said that we need to educate our children how to respect women in home.

She echoed that a society with respect and safety for women is expected to evolve which can be created together with the effort of all.

Sanalembi explained that her 16 days campaign , she along with her companion will move travelling to eleven districts of Assam. She echoed that they are not born as an activist but are forced to take up the activism looking into the social evils faced by the society.

Sanalembi and her team has created a Charter of Demand for prevention and elimination of violence against women which they intend to submit to Minister f Social Welfare, Government of Assam, Pramila Rani Bhrama on 10th December.

Today’s flag off ceremony and sensitisation program was supported by One Step Centre, Silchar. One step centre is a 24 x 7 facility of the Government where any female can take help to report injustice and atrocities. The centre besides providing emergency and rescue services also provide host of other assistance such as medical assistance, legal and shelter support.

Sucheta Bhattacharjee, the centre cordinator of One Stop Centre appealed to all that in case of any violence one can always report to the centre at 181 call centre.

District Social Welfare Officer Rajkumar Kedia informed that the department though works on a low budget but is committed to its work and explained various assistance provided.

Sumana Roy narrated her story of torture and suppression and thanked Sanalembi for the support she received from Sanalembi had made her stand up for herself.

Data and experience shows that women face more violence in the closed doors and from known person or within her relations. Laws alone will not help but a social reengineering is the need of the hour where gender bias has to be eliminated by the society at large