The Hindu : Karnataka News : ‘Level playing field must for women’

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Thursday, Apr 03, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

‘Level playing field must for women’

Staff Correspondent

Women’s Day programme at Hampi

‘Double your efforts to overcome impediments’
Professional courses exclusively for women sought

HAMPI: Geeta Bali, Vice-Chancellor of Women University, Bijapur, underlined the need to provide a level playing field for women to not only excel in what they do but also to emerge on par with men in society.

Speaking after inaugurating an International Women’s Day programme organised by the Department of Women Studies at Kannada University, Hampi, on Wednesday, Ms. Bali said that the need of the hour was to have a constructive approach to provide what women needed in life.

Exhorting women to double their efforts to overcome the impediments faced by them, especially in a chained and controlled environment, Ms. Bali stressed the need to change the attitude of parents and society towards the girl child and women and to start encouraging them to come up in life. Meanwhile, the Government should provide infrastructure, including starting professional courses exclusively for women, and create opportunities for women to emerge successful.

“Under the circumstances, law alone can protect women from all kinds of atrocities. But at the same time women should double their efforts to come up in life and show that they were on par with men,” she said.

Hemalatha Mahishi, advocate, who gave a lecture on Domestic Violence Act, said that the provisions under the Act were not only powerful but also women-friendly.

Highlighting the various provisions of the Act, Ms. Mahishi said that women were given the right to reside, protection from physical and mental violence besides ensuring monetary relief and maintenance allowance.

According to her, the service providers, including women non-governmental organisations, can play a pivotal role in protecting women from atrocities in the family. The Act had also set a time-frame for completing hearing within 60 days from the date of the filing of the case.

She was also of the view that the benefits of the Act would reach the needy only when a support system was also developed and care should be taken to prevent the misuse of the Act.

“Laws alone cannot bring in the required changes. The existing laws can be used by women to protect themselves. At the same time, people should also realise their role, duty and responsibilities in giving women their rights,” she said.

A. Murigeppa, Vice-Chancellor, Kannada University, presided over the programme. Shrimathi of the Department of Women Studies spoke. Shivanand, Head of the Department of Women Studies, welcomed the gathering. Sumalatha Akalwadi proposed a vote of thanks.

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