Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (SS)

Mangalore, Mar 2: A South-India level seminar on ‘Women in 21st century – Present Scenario and Future Prospects’, was jointly organized by St Aloysius College, University Grants Commission (UGC) and Karnataka State Commission for Women, on Wednesday March 1 at the St Aloysius College premises here.

In her keynote address, Rameshwari Varma, feminist professor, said that any patriarchal society to move towards greater gender equality requires change at many levels in values, norms, structures, institutions and behaviour patterns and practices.  This necessitates women to become more empowered in economic, political and socio-cultural fields.

She added that women in this age are still facing discrimination in access to health, education, employment and other areas. Also, violence against women is increasing, she said.

Fr Francis Serrao, rector, St Aloysius College, presided over. Fr Eugene Lobo, principal, and Hilda Rayappan, convenor of the seminar, were present.