Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (AF)

Bangalore, Mar 17: 'It is good that so many women have gathered here on the occasion of Women's Day celebrations, but it would be good if your husbands too would be here so that they know your rights,' said Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore while addressing over 800 women who had gathered together under the banner of 'Seva Samsthaygallu Vedike' at St Francis Xavier's Cathedral grounds on Friday March 14.

Organised by the Bangalore multi-purpose Social Service Society together with at least 15 NGOs working for women's rights, the meeting was preceded by a procession. Women took out a procession from Ambedkar Bhavan and walked over a kilometer to the venue.

The Archbishop observed, 'Development and change begins with knowing your rights. Now that the elections are near, women must exercise their right to vote.' The archbishop stressed on education of children, especially the girl child.    

Fr Faustin Lobo told the gathering, 'We should be aware that we have the right to life and obligation also to protect women against atrocities.'
 
Donna Fernandes, from Women's Voice said, 'NGOs should not work just to get a name, but must work and stand for development. Doctors today go in for cheap money and abort the girl child in the womb though it is a crime. They violate the law and perform sex determination tests.  Women must rise up against these practices.'

Assistant director of the women and child welfare department, Manjula, assured the women participants that she will ensure that information on government schemes for women will reach them regularly. She sought the co-operation of the NGOs in reaching these schemes to women.  Parish priest of the Cathedral Fr John Solomon, BMSSS director Edward Thomas, coordinator of 'Seva Samsthaygallu Vedike' Fr Mariappa Gregory were also present.