Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Sonia hails State’s ‘empowered women’

Photo: S. Gopakumar

A beginning: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi inaugurating the Women’s Centre set up by Women’s Fellowship of South Kerala Diocese of Church of South India on LMS premises in the city on Friday. Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony, CSI Moderator J. W. Gladstone, president of the Women’s Fellowship Hepsi Gladstone and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala are also seen. —

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and Congress president Sonia Gandhi has said that women of Kerala are ‘truly empowered and are enjoying equality.’

Speaking after inaugurating the Women’s Centre set up by the Women’s Fellowship of South Kerala Diocese of Church of South India (CSI) on the LMS premises here on Friday, Ms. Gandhi said women from Kerala had excelled in various spheres and had left a mark in society.

“Social activists, doctors, lawyers, writers and other women from the State have all excelled in their respective fields. The first women judge of the Supreme Court was from Kerala. P.T. Usha and others had won laurels for the country,” she said.

Pointing out the achievements made by Kerala in various spheres like education, literacy and health, Ms. Gandhi said the State had become a model in social security, gender justice and equality.

The reforms initiated by leaders like Sree Narayana Guru had helped the transformation of society. Ms. Gandhi said religious diversity had enriched the lives of the people.

The high suicide rate in Kerala was a matter of concern. The UPA had passed legislation to curb domestic violence and for the protection of the child, elderly and widows.

Mere social security laws would not do, it should be implemented, she said.

Ms. Gandhi urged social organisations to play an important role in increasing awareness among the people of their rights, legislations, counselling and for mobilising people.

At the function, Ms. Gandhi inaugurated training programmes being launched by the centre for the welfare of the aged, protection of the environment and against dowry.

CSI moderator J.W. Gladstone presided. President of Women’s Fellowship Hepzi Gladstone welcomed the gathering.

Union Minister for Defence A.K. Antony, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy, Pannian Ravindran, MP, Mayor C. Jayan Babu, AICC general secretary Mohisina Kidwai and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala offered felicitations.

Women’s Fellowship, a major organisation of the South Kerala Diocese of the CSI, aims at uplift and empowerment of women and spearheads many social works.

Later, a memorandum demanding 50 per cent reservation for women in elected bodies was submitted by the Fellowship to Ms. Gandhi.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Wedding function
CME on advances in neurology
DYFI protest
Organisational issues settled: VS
Good response to Kerala Travel Mart
Drop hartal plan, Minister tells UDF
Research should benefit poor: Sonia
First paperless office
INTUC leaders meet Sonia Gandhi
Memo to Sonia on Athirappilly scheme
Isaac meets union leaders
Adatt is best panchayat
Widespread protest against fuel price hike
A promise of help for RGCB
Patients caught between sparring doctors
Relay satyagraha on for High Court Bench
Pongala offer
Meet on fee for B.Sc. Nursing
LIC officers’ protest
Elusive burglar identified: police
Unify, Congress workers told
Sonia hails State’s ‘empowered women’
Thiruvananthapuram today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu