IMPHAL, June 25: In conjunction with the observation of the International Day in Support for Victims of Torture, the Center for Organisation Research and Education (CORE), Human to Humane Transcultural Center for Trauma and Torture Victims (H2H), Shija Hospitals and Research Institute (SHRI), Society for HIV/AIDS and Lifeline Operation in Manipur (SHALOM), Center for Women and Girls (CWG), Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR), Giving Tree Foundation (GTF), Rural Education and Action for Change- Manipur (REACH-M), Forum for Indigenous Perspective and Action (FIP A), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Wide Angle (W A) and Community Network for Empowerment (CORE) are jointly organizing a four day practitioners` training workshop- “Promoting well-being and resilience among young persons affected by conflict” from June 26 to 29 here at Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, Langol.
According to a release of CORE, the United Nations International Day in Support of victims of torture on 26th June, 2013 with the theme, “Right to Rehabilitation: Let`s make this right a reality” will also be observed on the inaugural day of the workshop.
The present Manipur society is afflicted by multiple conflicts based mainly on self- determination, territory, economic, identity, political, and social factors. The outcomes of these conflicts have far-reaching consequences, the release said.
The state has been responding to these conflicts with violent military response, repressive and draconian laws such as AFSPA, UAPA and NSA, and abuse of police powers. These conflicts have brought about the disintegration of democratic governance; create social imbalances; encourage wanton corruption and human rights violations affecting normal life, positive development and well-being of innocent people especially young person including women, it said.
Young people including women experience untold trauma that often includes both mental and physical torture resulting in loss of self-confidence, insecurity and resilience to deal with other traumatic experiences. Such stress from multiple traumatizes also often the cause for young person to take the plunge into substance abuse, anti-social activities and immoral practices, it further said.
Given this backdrop, the workshop will focus on capacity building of practitioners who are providing counseling and psychosocial supports to victims of conflicts especially young persons, women and children so as to promote their well-being and resilience, it added.