Workshop Organised on the Eve of Human Rights Day

Aaj News Service

Mahoba, 10 December. A workshop on women’s rights was organised here on the occasion of Human Rights Day under the auspices of Gramonnati Sansthan and Sashakt Mahila Aandolan. The workshop was chaired by former principal Zahir Singh and proceedings were conducted by the director of Gramonnati Sansthan Dr Arvind Khare.

Principal Shiv Kumar Goswami of DAV Inter College, Mahoba, said that the Constitution had given us several fundamental rights, but due to lack of knowledge these rights were being violated. He said that condition of women in our country was pitiable, especially uneducated women were exploited in every possible way. He said that dowry had become a curse on the life of women. He also said that the percentage of women was falling because of female foeticide for which women themselves were responsible to a large extent.

Former principal Zahir Singh said that in Panchayati Raj setup women were provided with several rights and that women had important place in the society and they should themselves come forward for their betterment. By passing a new law the Central Government had tried to provide new rights to women.

The director Dr Arvid Khare of Gramonnati Sansthan said the law to prevent domestic violence against women would motivate them to lead a more honourable life. He said that women were taunted for bringing less dowry and as a result they become frustrated. He said that dropping percentage of women due to female foeticide was a subject of grave concern. He also said that women should themselves come forward to fight for their rights.

Advocate Dashrath Singh said that women were provided with several rights in the Constitution and for their rights women could take legal action. To prevent domestic violence, he said, a new law had been enacted. The dowry prevention law had also been made more effective, in which there was a provision of taking strict action against the accused.

Another advocate Ali Hasan said that after Independence women were provided with several rights and that the Government of India established Women Commission where women could lodge complain and avail their rights. He said a committee comprising advocates and social worker was established and this committee would take action on the cases of exploitation of women. This committee includes Vatibabu, Ali Hasan, Dashrath Singh, Devendra Palivala and Shiv Kumar Goswami. If needed this committee would also file a case. He said that efforts were being made to generate awareness among women and make them independent by forming groups. He emphasised on the education of women. He demanded an end to dowry exploitation and female foeticide.

Uma Devi said that even though under law women were provided with enough rights but due to lack of awareness they were exploited. She exhorted women to be aware and fight for their rights.

Ahilya said that women groups were being formed in the villages. These groups were making efforts to make the members self-reliant. On this occasion around 150 women and 50 men from various villages were present.

(Translated from the original report published in Hindi newspaper Aaj)

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