Women insecure, despite laws to protect them'

Mangalore, March 3: Women continue to remain insecure, despite several laws being brought about to protect them, said Madhu Bhooshan, Vimochana of Bangalore.

She was speaking as the chief guest at a function in Town Hall on Thursday organized by the Network of Women's organizations in which more than 50 women organization participated across the district to mark 101st year of International Women's Day.

In the name of security and tradition the male-dominated society is controlling the women owing to fear that women might clinch status on a par with that of men, she said.

Women have always been the victims to the intolerance of the increased fundamentalism in religions. Moreover these fundamentalists 'decide and fix' the boundaries of tradition restricting the freedom for women. They do not let the tradition to change, she said adding that the traditional stereotype of women being the carriers and repositories of their religions is going to be recast in these times when faiths are getting more homogenized to fit in with the needs of a globalised world, she said.

The ill practices such as dowry, feticides etc exist due to the ill effects of western capitalism and consumerism where the women are portrayed as a commodity like any other, she said.

Prior to this, a huge rally from Jyothi Circle to Town Hall was taken out which was inaugurated by Meena Koraga, Cleaning Worker, Vamanjur, Vijayalaxmi Poojary, a woman farmer, Dr Rathi Rao of Samatha Vedike, Mariamma Thomas, Corporator and Shahanaz M, Editor of Anupama Magazine. Several women holding placards raised slogans against feticide and domestic violence. S

Shailaja Bhat, President of ZP presided over the function. Dr Jecintha D'Souza was present on the dais.

Prof Reeta Noronha, Director, SSW Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore delivered the key note address.

Sabiha Bhooomigowda, Chairman of Kannada Department, Mangalore University spoke on 'Moral Policing in Dakshina Kannada'

Apoline Gomes, Flora D'Sa, Olinda Pereira, Elis Mary, Sujatha and others spoke on various problems faced by women.