Control of Sexuality and the Widows of HIV / AIDS & Conflict Victim Widows in Imphal West District of Manipur

Patriarchal society treats women as subordinate sex, weaker physically and biologically and, therefore to be protected by men. By nature of human atrocity a widow excluded from the normal women and marginalized even in the family by not allowing her to lead in any activity is treated as ?bad luck? in public places and ill-treated for the loss of her husband. Parents-in-law consider them ?bad luck? and humiliate them. They are facing much violence and even beating. As they are regarded a ?bad luck? in the family as well as the society, especially young widows without a child are not allowed to remarry as they carry the stigma of widowhood in the society and their youthful life is filled with restrictions including control of sexual life by imposing dress code and depriving from nutritious food after husband death. Instead, their parents and the community impose upon them performance of certain rituals and offering of prayer time-to-time after husband?s death. In ancient Hindu society Sati was practiced and a widow was burnt with her deceased husband. Human beings, born as male and female, are socialized as gendered subjects, i.e., they learn and acquire a socially acceptable gender identity. The patriarchal Indian society recognizes male domination and female subordination. It recognizes different roles for the two sexes. It follows husband?s (male?s) lineage and vests the whole authority in males. Sexuality of women is controlled by males who restrict a woman?s contacts and movement in the society. Right from their childhood, children are socialized in such a way as they are aware of what type of gender roles are expected from them by the society.