Media Release
Belthangady, March 9: World Women’s Day program was organized on Saturday March 7, 2015 at Shri Janardhana Swamy Temple ground at 10.30 am.
The program began with the inauguration of a rally by Girija, member of SHG, Guripalla. The Vimukti SHG Federation members participated in the procession by tying a black cloth to their mouths with the intention that they had been talking since a very long to improve the status of the women living in Belthangady Taluka and frequently submitting the memorandum to the government but till now no action has been taken to improve the safety and security of the women in the taluka. Also, it is not that they always keep quiet by tolerating everything. They strongly come back to fight for their rights. The main intention of this procession was to stimulate the society and to make them think about the prevailing injustices meted out to women.
After that Baby Guripalla, the secretary, Vimukti SHG federation welcomed the whole gathering.
Vasantha Bangera, MLA, Belthangady congratulated the gathered women and said, “As I know you are fighting for the betterment of the women in the Taluka as a result, today you are able to raise your voice through your organization and fight against the injustices. You all have proved that now men and women are equal in the society. Though there are very strong laws and orders against women harassment, there is no reduction in crimes in our taluka as well as in our state or nation. But if we strongly oppose these social evils, in future a day will come where there will be equality in our taluka. I thank the organization for supporting and strengthening our women to raise their voice in the society against injustice.
Fr Vinod Mascarenhas, the director of Capuchin Krishik Seva Kendra (R) (CKSK), Vimukti, Laila, opines that the world women day is not a celebration but it is a reminder to all to raise our voice still higher against injustice. Very long back in America some women came together and raised their voices against the harassment and demanded their rights to be protected. This has been continued till today and as a result today we too demand very strongly from the government to safeguard our rights and allow us to live equally with men.
Today we appreciate the role played by women as mother, daughter, sister, daughter in law but majority male society fails to give due and equal respect to girl and women. And men should allow every woman in their house to come out from their four walls of the kitchen and to join the main stream of the society. Men should also know what the rights of women are, how to reduce the crime in the society against women. A foreign country launched a film on an Indian girl Nirbhaya who lost her life due to her brave heart against rape and murder. But the criminal says that if you keep sweets outside, the street dogs will come and eat them. So girls, women should not take much freedom and go out from the house.
Further he says, girls are not equal to boys. One of the chief ministers commented, when a girl wears proper dress, a boy will not look at her in a wrong way. Another influential politician belonging to a national party remarked why Nirbhaya should go for movie at night? These above senseless and inhumane statements by the people who are in authority shows how cruel all these men are. Hence we cannot expect much either from the government or from the people in authority. There are many institutions and powerful people who do a lot just for name and fame for themselves but will never speak for women.
Nowadays we can see in our locality there are many incidents against women but the sad thing is that although there is CID and CBI enquiries till now victims and their families are unable to get justice. As women of Vimukti federation, we should not only concentrate in improving your economic status but should also fight against these injustices around us and should encourage your daughters and sisters to raise their voice against injustice.
Later the program was inaugurated by Girija, SHG member Guripalla. Kripa Alva, feminist activist said, today it is insufficient to talk for women but it is more important that we should do something for women from our heart. As we can see, today it is possible through Fr Vinod Mascarenhas who has organized this beautiful event. I am congratulating him for speaking convincingly for women from his heart. It is possible because he might have come across caring and loving mother and sisters. As we know, March 8th is women’s day but I say it is not for only one day, it is for every day."
"Today any man in the family cannot live without a woman. For everyday largely men depend upon women. She said, as we believe, this world is created by the goddesses Adishakti but not by the male god. We call our nation as bharath matha who is a lady and we don’t call as bharath pitha. Today in the society 1 year, 4 year girl children are victims of rape but it is not because of their dress. It is only because of the psychological problem of the rapist which makes him do so. Today you as a mother have more responsibility in your family itself. You should practice to give equal importance to boy and girl child in your family."
"Women should give more attention to reduce the harassment in her family itself. Mathru Devobhava is the unique feature of our nation. A mother plays a major role in the Indian families. As we move towards modernization, we think our old parents are a burden to us and we are sending them to the old age home. After Nirbhaya case everybody started to criticize the government. But when the bus is taking 3-4 rounds in Delhi and she screamed several times for help no person in the locality was ready to give her a helping hand.
"Our first prime minister Nehru said, 'It is not only the responsibility of the men of the country to develop the nation, but it is also the responsibility of the other 50% of the women living in the country.' As women we have many superstitious beliefs within ourselves which make other women in the society suffer more than men harassing the women in the society. If a lady loses her husband we remove her Mangalasuthra, kunkum and flowers from her hair. But it is not the best method to share her pain instead of that we should stand by her to support her. If our prime minister or the chief minister are successful in their life, the reason behind them is their mother and sister who have shown them the right path. There is a saying a hand which rocks the cradle will have the power to rule the world. We can’t only blame men always but the women behind those men are should also think about these issues and fight for justice."
She concluded by saying, “Next to God we are indebted to women, first for giving us life and next for making it worth living”.
Fr Alwyn Dias, assistant provincial of CKSK, wished the gathering and said, “Today I feel very happy to see you all here. Since 18 years you have improved a lot and raised your voice against injustice and demanded your rights for which I congratulate you all. You have proved that you are the strong pillars of Vimukti SHG federation. And I wish to see that you give equal challenge to men in all the sectors. Many times sitting and listening to a talk is very easy. But to follow what we listen is difficult. I request you all to help those women in our society who are victims of different types of harassments. It is appreciable that today you have worked a miracle here and I wish always Vimukti women should come forward to raise their voice against the evil system of the society. When all of you came in the procession you tied black cloth to your mouth. But it is not that you will always keep your mouths closed. It says that you should have the opportunity to speak up against the injustice. Your voice should reach every society across the world.
Fr Arun Lobo, director, Vimukti federation, Chikkody and secretary of JPE, said, today you have tied up your mouths with black cloth in the procession. It is not that for ever you are sitting quiet and will be voiceless. Today after 18 years long journey along with Vimukti, you should not create a compound around yourselves. You should come to the main stream of the society and should fight against the harassments and motivate the other women in the society to come forward to resist these kind of activities in the society. Vimukti women should be a role model to the other women in the society.
Vimala, president of Vimukti federation said, CKSK is supporting us to come forward in society. After joining Vimukti SHG federation, I have improved so much. I was elected in gram panchayath as a president and after that I became a member of taluk panchayath. All this has happened through the support I have received from my organization. I congratulate the organization for supporting the least people of the society.
Thereafter the cultural programs are organized by the members of different SHG groups. Along with lunch at 1-30 pm the program was concluded. Shali, treasurer of Vimukti federation extended the vote of thanks. Latha, secretary of Vimukti federation was the MC.