SHIMOGA: Former Minister Kagodu Thimmappa has stressed the need for bringing women into the mainstream by making them aware of their rights and duties.

He was inaugurating a State-level women's conference on "HIV/AIDS/Women and Rights to Health" organised by Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development and Social Changes Trust and Abhay Action AIDS Karnataka Project here on Monday.

Women suffer social and economic exploitation in this male-dominated society. They are being treated as second-class citizens, he said.

Mr. Thimmappa said it is a positive trend that women's self-help groups are trying to improve the plight of women. "It is not enough if women become an organised force. They should assert their right to health," he said.

Such a measure will go a long way in creating awareness among women about diseases such as HIV/AIDS and cancer.

Babu Mathew, National Director of Abhay Action AIDS Project, said it is ironical that a majority of the people are not aware of their social, economic and political rights in a developing country like India.

Urban-rural divide

The widening of the urban-rural gap when it comes to development is a matter of concern. The poor should be made aware of their rights, Mr. Mathew said.

Planning Coordinator of HIV Care and Support Centre Chandrasekhar , who was chief guest, said it is an irony that India which gave the message "Health is Wealth" to the world, is ridden with diseases. It is a matter of concern that symptoms of HIV/AIDS are found even among young people, especially in rural areas.

Director of Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development and Social Changes Trust K.C. Basavaraj spoke on the proceedings to be held as part of the seminar. Members of women's self-help groups and other participants took out a march, Sampoorna Arogyadedege Mahileyara Nadige, from the municipal office to Kuvempu Rang Mandir.

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