Mangalore: Strive to make society safe for women - Bishop Dr Aloysius
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SS)
Mangalore, Oct 13: The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) and Catholic Sabha, Mangalore Pradesh jointly organized a conference on the issue of safety on women here on Sunday October 13.
The conference started with a devotional song by students of MSW from St Aloysius College after which the welcome speech was delivered by president of DCCW Lydia D'Cunha.
The inauguration was done in a unique way with placards displayed about the problems faced by women in society and freedom from those problems.
The conference was inaugurated by the chief guest Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangalore.
The bishop in his address said, “Discussion on the crucial issue of women safety in society has been initiated by DCCW and Catholic Sabha, and it must be appreciated and acknowledged.”
“It has been seen that women are prone to violence in public places these days, thus we must strive to make the society safe and also fight against crimes committed against the girl child,” he added.
He also said, “Domestic violence, murder, rape and other such crimes against women in society is a matter of concern that has to be addressed and a defense mechanism has to be imparted for women’s safety.”
Brahmakumari Vishweshari of Prajapati Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya said, “Women’s safety can be achieved by women’s empowerment, which is only possible through knowlege of the soul.”
“If a man looks at a woman as a soul and not just as body, such instances will never arise. Thus educating men on this matter is needed,” she added.
Shameera Jahan from Jamath-e-Islami Hind women’s wing of Karnataka said, “If we look at history, women have always been an object of violence, but we must take heart in God's presence in our lives.”
The bishop felicitated Prabha V Kudva, Patonji and Corrine Rasquinha in appreciation and recognition of their social work.
Shayamala Bhandary, an advocate at Kundapur; Wafa, a law student at SDM; Lidwin Lobo, MSW social worker at Vishwas; Kavita, ACP, Merlyn Martis, director of DEEDS and others were present for the conference.