Mangalore: Women in black join hands to seek peace against violence

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
With Inputs from Media Release

Mangalore, Mar 6: Like-minded organizations on Wednesday March 6 came together with Forum Against Atrocities on Women (Mahila Dourjanya Virodi Vedike) to seek peace against violence. The movement has been initiated in observance of International Women's Day on March 8.

The specialty of the silent protest was that women from various organizations from across the state stood all along the Hampankatta area dressed in black. Men also joined them.

The protestors conveyed their message demanding stop on violence against women and justice for victims through placards. They lit candles too and began as well as ended their two-hour protest with songs.

Addressing the protest, Madhu Bhushan from Bangalore said that the idea of protest by women in black originated in Israel about 20-30 years ago. "Women from Israel and Palestine regions came dressed in black and held a silent protest near the borders of the two countries. They held a peaceful march against war and conflict in those days," she said.

"In India, this form of protest was first seen in 1992 in Bangalore during the time of Babri Madjid demolition. Women dress in black had marched in silence for communal peace," she added.

Another protestor, Shanta, said that this protest in Mangalore was against the atrocities on women. "It is a peaceful protest wherein women in black and men will stand together and place their demands silently through placards," she said.

Their demands included:

- Establishment of fast-track courts.
- Delivery of justice within a time frame.
- Establishment of a government department to deal with sexual harassment cases.
- Care and rehabilitation of sexual harassment and rape victims to be undertaken by the government.
- Fixing responsibility for delay in investigation and action.
- Setting up of sexual harassment prevention committees in all sectors, including unorganized and informal sector where the majority of women work.
- Inclusion of texts emphasizing equality in schools and colleges.

As part of the movement, on March 7, there will be a seminar on 'Violence Against Women' at the department of women’s studies, Mangalore University at 10 am, wherein the keynote address will be delivered by well-known Dalit activist and writer Urmila Pawar from Maharashtra.
 
On March 8, a massive rally opposing all kinds of atrocities on women will be taken from from Bunt’s Hostel Circle to Karavali Festival ground behind Mangala Stadium at 10 am, followed by a public meeting in Karavali Festival ground at 11.30 am. Bhanwari Devi from Rajasthan who is the main force behind the Vishakha Guidelines against sexual harassment at the workplace will address the gathering.
 

Organizations involved
 

St Agnes Society, Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union DK; Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh, ICYM,  Tarakari Belegarara Mattu Talehore Maratagarara Sangha-Mangalore, Jilla Mahila Vedike DK-Mangalore; Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samithi-Mangalore, DK District  Women Trainers Sanchalana, Permannur Mahila Mandala-Thokkottu, Breakthrough Foundation-Mangalore, Sahodaya Bethany Seva Kendra Samsthe-Mangalore, PUCL- Mangalore, Griha Karmikara Samagra Abhivridhi Vedike-Mangalore, DCCW-Mangalore; DCCW- Brahmavara, Padi, Valored; Shikshana Sampanmoola Kendragala Okkuta-Mangalore; Bandhavya ®-Mangalore, DEEDS-Mangalore; Karavali Lekhaki Mattu Vachakiyara Sangha-Mangalore, Mangalore Ladies Club; Maithri Trust,Deralakatte-Mangalore; Preethi Neethi Trust-Mangalore; Women’s Study Centre-Konaje, DK Anti- Corruption Forum-Mangalore; NGO Okkuta-Mangalore; Dharmajyothi Social Centre, Vamanjoor- Mangalore, Dist .Women Trainers Sanchalana- Udupi; Sahana Women’s Counselling Centre Bunder-Mangalore, Spandana Infant Marry Convent, Jeppu-Mangalore; Mahilapara Chinthana Koota-Mangalore, School of Social Work Roshni Nilaya-Mangalore; Billava Mahila Sangha-Mangalore; Asare Women’s Foundation, Kankanady-Mangalore; Disha Trust Kaikamba; Link Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts-Mangalore; Taluk Mahila Mandalagala Okkuta-Mangalore; Catholic Association of South Kanara, ‘Forward’ Mangalore; Hidayath Women’s Foundation Mangalore; HRS Mangalore; DK Jilla Mangala  Mukhiyara Sangha; Rotary Inner Wheel Mangalore-North; Vishwas Trust Mangalore; Kripa Foundation Mangalore; Sahachari Mahila Okkuta-Siddakatte; Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha Bangalore; Hengasara Hakkina Sangha Bangalore; Manasa Balaga Bangalore; Garments Mahila Karmikara Munnade Bangalore; Garment & Textiles Workers Union (GATWU) Bangalore; Jamath –e- Islami Hind (Youth Wing); Karavali Karnataka Janaabivridhi Vedike Mangalore; Spandana Mahila Okkuta, Kudupu Mangalore; Tarikita Kalakammata Brahmarakutlu; Sanchi Trust Mangalore; Karnataka State Women’s Trainers Sanchalana; Manthana Vedike Kavalakki-Honnavara, Karnataka State Trainers Collective; Samatha Mahila Vedike Mysore; Samanatha Mahila Vedike-Bangalore; Mahila Munnade Mandya; Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane; Dalitha Bahujana Chaluvali; Bayalu Sahitya Vedike Kotturu; Jagruti Mahila Adhyana Kendra- Bangalore; Koraga Abhivridhi Sangagala Okkuta; Sanjeevini Samsthe-Kinnigoli; Karnataka Dalita Mahila Vedike Bangalore; Dasamsa-Ambedkar Vada; Dalita Mahila Okkuta, Mogaveera Mahila Sangha, Uchila StAloysius College, Mangalore, Beedi Karmika Mahileyara Sangha,Mangalore Mahila Sabha, Mangalore, National Women’s Front, Mangalore, Komu Sowharda Vedike, Samagra  Gramina Ashrama Udupi, Sahamata Film Society Mangalore; Charaka Mahila Sanghatane Heggodu; Karnataka Sex Workers Union; Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum; Guttige Powra Karmikara Sangha Mandya; Garments Labour Union; Sakhi Hospet; Munnade Samajika Samsthe- Bangalore; Canara Bank SC &ST Employees Welfare Association; Vimochana Samsthe Bangalore; Janashikshana Samsthe Mangalore; Mangalorina Abhivridhigagi Nagarika Vedike; National Federation for Women; Girls Islamic Organisation; Samatha BGVS; Karnaka Griha Karmikara Sangha, Alternative Law Forum, Sadhana Mahila Sangha; Drishti Bidar; Lesbit-Bangalore; Dr.Rama Manohara Lohiya Samata Vidyalaya; Guttige Powra Karmikara Sanghatane Gulbarga; Karnataka Janashakti, Nagara Sabhe Dinaguli Karmikara Sangha; Karnataka Dalita Mahila Vedike; New Social Alternative (CWI) India; Women’s Voice; Alemari Budakattu Mahasabha, Swaraj Network; People’s Democratic Forum; Vistar; Samvada Bangalore,National Federation of Dalit Women, Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development, RLHP Mysore.

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