Briefing media persons at Press Club in Mangalore on Tuesday, Gulabi Bilimale of Forum Against Atrocities on Women and Sanchalana, said that the horrendous gang rape and murder of the Delhi girl and repeated instances of sexual assault on women has raised the consciousness of the nation to unprecedented heights. The Delhi brave heart has succeeded in bringing about unimaginable changes in India and positive indications that 2013 may turn out to be a momentous year for improved safety and security of women in India.
However, amidst positive signs, negative and insensitive comments from leaders across the political and religious spectrum indicating a misogynistic and patriarchal mindset cannot be ignored, she said, while stating that there is a general sense of male domination and female subjugation in the country cutting across castes, religions, communities and professions.
Women's Day 2013 will feature women from different parts of Karnataka converging for a series of symbolic protests in Mangalore on March 6,7 and 8. AAs a curtain raiser event, Forum Against Atrocities on Women along with likeminded organizations and students from several colleges in Mangalore will undertake a silent march from Jyothi circle at 4:45 pm to Ladies Club via Balmatta Road followed by a candle light vigil and public meeting at Ladies Club grounds on Light House Hill on January 24. Eminent Mumbai based women's rights lawyer and director of 'Majlis', Flavia Agnes will address the gathering on the occasion, Ms. Bilimale said.
As a symbolic demand for justice in various instances of assault on women in Mangalore including Sowjanya murder case, the pub and homestay attacks besides others, the organizers have appealed to the participants of the silent march to some dressed in pink.
Posters removed
Vidya Dinker, activist and member of the Forum Against Atroities on Women, said on the occasion that the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) had wrongly taken off posters and banners of the event to be held put up by the Forum across the city.
The MCC in a bid to get rid of all plastic posters in the city, took away cloth posters put up by the Forum to create awareness among masses about the silent march. The Forum abides by the rules and had not put up any plastic posters but they were still taken off by the MCC, she said.
Loretta Rebello of Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development and Mangalore Ladies Club, Shahnaz M, Editor, 'Anupama' Women's Monthly, Dr. Derek Lobo of Catholic Association of South Canara and Nazarene BM Sun, Student Volunteer, II MSW, St Aloysius College, Mangalore, were also present at the press meet.
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