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Launch tirade against social evils, women journalists told

Special Correspondent

`Lack of education hindering progress of women'

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Education Minister, Ghashyam Tiwari, on Tuesday held the "slavery" during the medieval period responsible for social evils afflicting the society, while calling upon the women journalists to launch a crusade against the abhorrent practices that had impeded the progress of the country as a modern nation and slowed down the pace of social reforms.

"The social evils of women hiding behind veil, child marriages, women being deprived of education and women being relegated to a secondary status crept in when slavery was imposed on our society during the medieval period," Mr. Tiwari said while addressing a seminar organised by the Rajasthan Media Women's Group at the Pink City Press Club here.

Mr. Tiwari affirmed that even the ghastly practice of Sati in Bengal had its origin in the slavery during the medieval era and said the indigenous culture of the country "had never approved of such repugnant customs". Without elaborating further, he urged the women journalists to work for getting equal rights and opportunities for the fair sex.

Mr. Tiwari said the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Government in the State had taken special steps for emancipation of women and cited the recent appointment of 12,000 women teachers in the Government schools through reservation as an evidence.

He added that the lack of education was a major stumbling block to the progress of women belonging to minority communities and scheduled castes and tribes.

The seminar, titled "Challenges before women journalists and their future", discussed the issues and perspectives in the profession of journalism and their impact on women pursuing their career in the field. Senior journalist, Kalyani Shankar, was the chief speaker in the seminar.

The Rajasthan Governor, Pratibha Patil, addressing the seminar, said the women journalists could play a significant role in generating awareness on the issues directly affecting women.

She pointed out that women scribes themselves had to often encounter difficulties and confront challenges in the performance of their duty.

The president of Media Women's Group and correspondent of "Rashtriya Sahara", Zeenat Kaifi, said the group was constituted in Jaipur four years ago with only seven members to provide a forum to women journalists to express their views on crucial issues.

The group's strength has now increased to over 50, making its presence felt in the journalistic circles in the State capital.

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