Gulbarga: The All-India Mahila Samskruthika Sanghatane (AIMSS) will hold a week-long nationwide agitation from January 4, in protest against globalisation and its impact on women and culture.

A memorandum in this regard will be submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on January 10.

AIMSS national general-secretary H.G. Jayalaxmi told mediapersons here on Friday that problems faced by women have increased ever since globalisation was introduced.

Children and youth are being exposed to too much of crime and obscenity in the media and in movies.

This has led to a sharp rise in crime, especially cases of rape and other atrocities against women, she said. Cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai have turned into virtual crime capitals.

Modern technology such as the Internet and mobile phones are being misused by the youth, she said.

Dr. Jayalaxmi said the Union and State Governments promote the sale of liquor because it brings in huge revenue. Liquor advertisements are banned by the law, but they continue to be aired.

Sex tourism

Governments are turning a blind eye to the growth of sex tourism because it brings in money. Young girls and women are being pushed into prostitution, she said.

"The sale of women in the border areas is on the rise. This is against the law, but the government is not doing anything," she said.

All political parties are equally responsible for this state of affairs.

The BJP opposed globalisation when it was in the opposition. But once voted to power, it pursued liberalisation more vigorously than the Congress Government. The Left parties, who say that they are opposed to liberalisation, are now supporting the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, which is pursuing globalisation and liberalisation policies, she said.

Reservation for women

Dr. Jayalaxmi said reservation for women in Parliament and State legislatures will not serve any purpose if they are not given social and economic equality.

"It would not make any difference to the quality of life of women if they are not given any real freedom. Women are still being considered second-class citizens in this male-dominated society. To change this, political parties should strive to provide education and jobs and not just make symbolic gestures such as political reservation," she said.

What have the women who are already in Parliament and State legislatures done for the welfare of women? she asked.

Dr. Jayalaxmi said that although the late Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister for over a decade-and-a-half, she did not do anything for women.

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