Only laws cannot change the society: Rekha Sharma Webinar on Gender Violence inaugurated at MANUU

 Hyderabad:

Gender equality can be achieved only when women are made aware of their rights. There are many laws for safeguarding and protection of women, however, they are not going to change the society unless we bring change in our own family. These views were expressed by Smt. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, New Delhi while delivering the keynote online in the inaugural session of the webinar held today by the Centre for Women Studies (CWS), Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in collaboration with Centre for Development Policy and Practice (CDPP) Hyderabad. Prof. SM Rahmatullah, Vice-Chancellor I/c presided over the inaugural and Mr. Dolphy D’Souza was the Chief Guest.

Smt. Rekha Sharma pointed out that in our society even educated women face gender discrimination and they are willing to accept it because they don’t want to go against the system. All religions have their own laws which are different for men and women, She claimed. Political parties also will not give tickets to women for fear of losing seats. Women get tickets based on their connections with some politically influential men. Things will not change unless women are economically empowered, She observed.

Mr. Dolphy D’Souza, Project Lead Mumbai, Commonwealth Human rights Initiative in his presentation spoke about the deep impact of gender based violence. The victims need extensive assistance services. Gender violence is widely reported in the media but there is no immediate demand for stringent laws. He also expressed the need to involve civil societies in the campaign against gender violence.

Prof. S M Rahmatullah, Vice-Chancellor I/c, MANUU, in his presidential remarks said that incidents of gender based violence are still happening and even today we are compelled to conduct such awareness programs, this is a shame for us. He advised women to assert their rights and also emphasized on inclusion of values in the curriculum.

The guest of honour, Ashish Shukla, Managing Director, CHHANV Foundation said that in India before 2013 there was no separate law to deal with acid attacks. Counseling of victims families is a very difficult task, he observed.

The acid attack victims - Rupa and Pramodini Roul also shared agony of their lives and survival after acid attack trauma.

Prof. Siddiqui Mohd. Mahmood, Registrar I/c in his online address detailed the vision and mission of MANUU. Every religion teaches equality, however, when an oppressor crushes the weak they need to come together, he remarked.

Prof. Shahida Murtaza, Director, CWS and webinar organizer introduced Rekha Sharma and Ashish Shukla. She also briefed about the webinar and proposed vote of thanks.

Prof. Amir Ullah Khan, Research Director, CDPP & webinar organizer in his remarks said India has made great progress in the field of education and health but we are lagging behind on the issue of gender equality.

Prof. Mohammed Abdul Sami Siddiqui, Director, Centre for Development of Urdu Medium Teachers convened the webinar. Instructional Media Centre’s team under the supervision of its Director, Mr. Rizwan Ahamd made arrangements of live streaming on youtube channel.

CWS and CDPP Hyderabad are organizing series of Webinars and other activities on “Awareness Campaign for Eliminating Gender Based Violence” as per the advisory from the Ministry of Women & Child Development to leverage 16 days period to eradicate gender based violence on January 12, 15, 19, 27 and 29.