Women urged to empower themselves

Mangalore, March 8: Women should think positive and empower themselves, said Principal Civil Judge (Senior Division) and Secretary of District Legal Services Authority R.V. Pati.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Women's Day celebrations organised by the district administration here on Thursday at Town Hall in the city.

Mr. Patil said for a long time governments had been making legislations and taking actions in the interest of women. “Do not always blame laws and the Government for discrimination,” he said and added: “You need to think positively about progress made in the empowerment of women over the years.”

Mr. Patil said there had been several legislations enacted for the cause of women. One among them was the 2005 amendment to the Hindu Succession Act that provides daughter an equal share along with her brother in her father's property. He said there had been problems in implementing some of the legislations including Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, where there was lack of staff for enforcement of orders.

Zilla panchayat President K.T. Shailaja Bhat said it was necessary to provide right culture for girls while they were growing up. She said women should know ways of making right use of reservation provided by the Government.

Various women's self-help groups exhibited eatables and other products prepared by them. A book Garba Nirodaka Vidhanagalu on preventing unwanted pregnancy by Rathi Devi, Professor from Kasturba Medical College, was released.