Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Oct 1: Director of ‘Vimochana’, a Bangalore-based organization striving for removing gender inequality and winning a rightful place of respect for women, Donna Fernandes, noted that exploitation and atrocities on women have not stopped in spite of economic and educational progress achieved by the society. “We can call ourselves an educated society, only if this situation comes under complete control,” she felt.
She was speaking after inaugurating a seminar on ‘Women - Revolutions and Struggles’ held at the old senate hall of Mangalore University under the aegis of the department of Kannada Studies and ‘Kannada Bhashabhimana’ project, on Friday September 30.
“Girls since childhood suffer in different ways. They suffer mental and physical harassment from husbands at home, and colleagues at offices. Selfish people continue to treat women as items of pleasure. Women should show to the world that they are self-reliant and capable, and work to stop atrocities on them by coming together,” she exhorted.
She pointed out that even Bangalore, identified as global IT capital, witnesses rape, murder, and atrocities on women routinely. She criticized the politicians and police department for their failure to crush these incidents with an iron hand, even after the media throws light on such incidents regularly. “Marriage of girls is performed like business transactions. Don’t the men feel ashamed to accept dowry? Seriousness about doing away with the dowry menace is restricted to delivering speeches. Women have no protection, and many of them choose to end their lives,” she lamented.
University vice chancellor, T C Shivashankara Murthy, felt that there is a need to create awareness about practicing gender equality by inspiring both men and women to treat one another equally, and led a life of peace and harmonious coexistence.
Head of the department of Kannada studies, Dr K Abghay Kumar, convener of the programme, Prof Sabiha, research assistant, Pavan M T, Sulata, and Poornima, were present.