Guwahati, July 16: Women in Assam who enjoyed a comparatively better status than their counterparts in the rest of the country are now bearing the brunt of the ongoing armed conflict and dynamic changes in society. ''The ongoing armed conflict in Assam has intensified the violence faced by women which takes the form of sexual, mental or physical abuse of killings and clashes,” says director of North East Network (NEN), Dr Monisha Behal.

Although all members of communities feel the impact in situations of armed conflict, the impact on women and girls is far worse because of their status in society and sex.

Behal points out that the state has witnessed a resurgence of patriarchal values and norms which has brought with it new restrictions imposed on the movement of women and the dress they wear.
A study conducted by the NEN, a women's organisation working on issues of gender justice for the past eight years in Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland, reveals that due to low intensity war like situation in the state, people were mentally and physically affected and the impact on women was the most.

Bureau Report