Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)

Mangalore, Mar 3: Providing security to women should be the responsibility of everyone. Though laws for women are prevailing that has also brought somewhat power to them, women are not living in secured society even today, said Madhu Bhushan of Vimochana, a forum of women’s rights, Bangalore while expressing her thoughts in the inaugural speech at women convention organized as part of 101st international women’s day celebration at Town Hall by Mahila Sanghagala Jala (MSJ) on Thursday March 3.

She said that marriage which is supposed to be considered as social institution, unfortunately restrained women from obtaining their rights. In most cases the desire with which girls enter into wedlock, are reported to be a dream. Marriage has turned to be a regulatory factor in the male dominant society, she emphasized.

Earlier post marriage death cases among women were reported once in three days in Bangalore alone, but now every day at least 3 death cases are reported in Bangalore which in itself is an alarming factor to the modern society. Some vested interests and fundamentalists have curbed rights of women in all region, she expressed.

Dr Rita Noronha, director, SSW Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore in her keynote address said that sorrowful life of women particularly in Dakshina Kannada is the story of all rising above caste creed and region. She said to the gathering that all women from various places and background who have gathered at the convention should know their rights and level of freedom. There is increased number of girls and women working in various professions in the society. Number of women unions has mounted up. But the level of respect being given to them is not matching the level what they actually deserve, she said. She anticipated that this ‘Jala’ (Net) should be a centre for exchange of thoughts and ideas.

Before the commencement of the stage programme, a jatha was taken out from Jyothi circle to Town Hall. The inauguration was done in an unique way in which female of all age group including an infant and elders ascended the dais and unveiled the stage programme open.

Shailaja Bhat, president of DK zilla panchayat presided. Shakuntala A, deputy director, women and child welfare department and Dr Jacintha D’Souza, principal, Roshni Nilaya were the guests.

Later women representatives of several local women unions presented paper on local issues through various sessions. Merlyn Martis, Ddrector, Deeds Mangalore welcomed the gathering.

Valedictory ceremony will be held at 4.30 pm.