IMPHAL, May 5: Noted writer and humanitarian, founder of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, Control Arms Foundation of India, Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace, Binalakshmi Nepram attended the forum on women human rights defenders organized by Nobel Women Initiative and the 100 years historic convening of women peace makers organized by Women`™s International League for Peace and Freedom(WILFP) held from April 24-30 in Netherlands in Europe.
According to a release of the Manipur Gun Survivors Network, over 1000 women from over 80 countries came together in one of the world`™s largest global convening of women peace makers at Hague in Netherlands where women led-global manifesto was adopted for new peace agenda for the 21st Century.
It said the historic global convening at Hague was done to mark 100 years of Women`™s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), same city where over 1300 women first came together in protest of World War I on April 28, 1915 and founded the Women`™s International League for Peace and Freedom, deemed world`™s oldest women peace organization.
according to the statement, Binalakshi addressed the massive women`™s gathering of over 1000 in Europe on issues of women`™s movement for peace and justice, repeal of AFSPA, ensure rule of law and defend rights of people in India`™s Northeast region and the historic efforts by women leaders from across the region in an effort to bring peace, provide humanitarian relief and end wars in region.
Her speech received a thunderous response bringing Manipur and Northeast Region in the global spotlight, it said.
She also met four women Nobel Peace laureates Jody Williams, Shirin Ibadi, Leymah Gbowee and Mairead Mcguire besides several women leaders from USA, Australia, UK, European Union, Liberia, Nigeria, Kenya and host of other 80 countries present at the historic convening. The global women leaders sent their regards to people of Manipur and Northeast region, it continued
In the statement issued after her return from Europe, Nepram said, `Our participation at historic global women peace makers convening in Europe will go a long way in ushering much needed women led peace efforts to end 60 decades of violence that has engulfed Manipur and Northeast region. Women of the region have led massive movements for our rights and justice. The movement for positive change has begun. Please join in`.