The Moran Jatiya Mahila Parishad of Assam said on Sunday the government should take stern action to stem the rise in crimes against women.

The women rights activists and leaders of the Parishad were speaking at the 19th biennial conference of Asom Moran Sabha and 9th biennial conference of Moran Jatiya Mahila Parishad at Adibhuj Samanvay Kshetra at Tingrai in Tinsukia district of Upper Assam.

Dipa Moni Saikia Borah, the newly elected state chairperson of the organisation, said, “The recent spurt in violence against women is a matter of grave concern. I request the government to order the home department to deal with the crimes against women issues sternly, either at the workplace or with domestic violence.”

“It is a disturbing fact that Assam has reported the second highest rate of crimes against women after the capital New Delhi in the past few years. When I studied some women-related survey reports recently, I was astonished to know that nearly 71 per cent government and private workplaces are still unsafe for women and they are harrassed there.”

Priya Lata Moran, the former president of the Parishad, said, “Safety and security measures for working women in Assam are pathetic. Women will also have to raise their voice against physical or mental assault without fail and without waiting for too long. Society, family members, non-government organisations, women’s rights commission, women rights activists and lawyers should create awareness among women about the laws that exist to protect them. The complaints mechanism should be strengthened so that women employees can work freely and fearlessly and the employers’ powers should be framed in a new way so that workplace safety and dignity can be maintained for women in Assam.”

Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal attended the conference as a chief guest and said the Assam government is committed to bring about all-round development of Assam and its people. He said his government is committed to women empowerment and their safety. “When women are encouraged to take the lead, society marches towards progress.”