The Hindu : Karnataka News : Enact law on domestic violence: Peres

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 27, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Enact law on domestic violence: Peres

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, NOV. 26. The Karnataka Women's Commission on Friday urged the Congress-led coalition Government in the State to pass the Domestic Violence (Prevention) Bill at the earliest.

Addressing the inaugural session of the fifth regional meeting of "WomenPowerConnect" on the theme "Women and legislative coordination," the Chairperson of the commission, Philomena Peres, said the draft for the Bill was presented to the Government in 2003. "I request the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, and the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, to take up the matter in the Cabinet and ensure that the Bill is passed at the earliest," she said.

Pointing out that the Centre's Bill on prevention of domestic violence was also pending, she said: "Let us not wait for the Centre to approve it first. Let us do it before they do."

Funds for commission

Ms. Peres said the new Government was supportive of women's causes.

The annual allocation for the commission had been increased from Rs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 80 lakhs.

"Though the allocation was Rs. 40 lakhs earlier, it was reduced to Rs. 20 lakhs last year. It has been increased to Rs. 80 lakhs after I approached the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. Now we can take up more studies on women's issues," she said and pointed out that research on "widows and single women" and "superstitious beliefs and bad traditions affecting women," would be taken up this year.

She wanted WomenPowerConnect to take the voice of rural women to policy makers. "It is the rural women who need attention and empowerment," she said.

On 33 per cent reservation for women, she said she was hopeful of the Bill being passed at the earliest.

"I suggest that the Bill should also include a provision for allocation of exclusive funds for women who contest elections," she added.

Campaign

Over 70 women delegates from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Karnataka met here under the banner WomenPowerConnect on Friday to discuss ways of bridging the gap between policy makers and the women's movement in the country.

The discussion, on the theme "Women and legislative coordination," aims at creating awareness about women's issues and influencing legislators and policy makers to create gender-friendly policies.

At the inaugural session, the Director of the Centre for Social Research, Ranjana Kumari, said the two-day workshop was part of the six regional workshops that were to build up a nationwide campaign and garner support for women's causes.

Similar meetings were conducted in other States. A national meeting was being planned in New Delhi in January next year, she said.

"Considering the critical role of Parliament and the government in taking decisions, there is a strong need to bridge the gap between individuals and organisations representing women's interests and policy makers," Ms. Ranjana Kumari said.

The WomenPowerConnect working group consisted of representatives from the United Nations Development Fund for Women, the International Centre for Research on Women, Centre for Social Research, Action India and the National Centre for Advocacy Studies, she added.

Madhura Chattrapathi, entrepreneur, presented a paper on "Empowerment through entrepreneurship." A paper on "Women's issues and development — legal perspective" was also presented.

Valedictory session

The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, and the Industries Minister, P.G.R. Sindhia, are expected to attend the valedictory session on Saturday.

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