Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KM)
Pics: Sphoorti Ullal

Mangalore, Apr 10: Women are facing harassment and injustice from all corners, irrespective of religions and social orders, lamented Sunanda Jayaram, social activist.

She was delivering the keynote address at the convention organized by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other like-minded organizations at the police grounds here on Thursday April 10.

The forms of exploitation on women are innumerable, ranging from female foeticide to dowry harassment. It is unfortunate that women are being punished for flimsy reasons, sometimes for mistakes not even committed by them, she said.

The condition of women is getting worsened owing to their silence. It is about time that women break their silence and make decisions. If women do not voice their opinions now, they may lose the opportunity forever, she cautioned.

Reiterating that she (woman) must be in mainstream politics, the Sunanda said that adequate number of women must represent the society in assemblies to avert conditions of women from getting worsened.

Sunanda, in her categorical statements, said killing women alive by setting them on fire is an extreme manifestation of violence against women. But it is unfortunate that such victims never open their mouths for help and justice. It is high time that women fight for justice and compensation. Entering assemblies is the only alternative left to redress the inhumane condition of women. 

'We all identify ourselves as women, but stay away when question of taking initiatives to protect the interests of women surfaces. It is ridiculous that women need to depend on men's approval to attend programmes organized to discuss problems faced by women,' Neeta, an MSW student, said.

Members of various women societies and others were present on the occasion.