Kidwai calls upon women to fight for their rights

Chandigarh, Nov 22 (UNI) Haryana Governor A R Kidwai today called upon women to fight for their rights bestowed under the Constitution for getting rightful place in society.

He was presiding over a two-day workshop on the implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 at Panjab University here.

"There is no difference of gender in our constitution and it is the responsibility of Administration and Judiciary to restore women rights", he said.

He said women social activists and media could play an important role in creating awareness among the womenfolk about their rights and implementation of the Act.

Earlier two such regional workshops were organized at Mumbai and Bangalore to take stock of the implementation of the Act and difficulties coming in its implementation.

Dr Kidwai said that there was need to create awareness among women by organizing such workshops not only at district level but also at village level.

He said that due to continuous efforts women had been able to achieve 33 per cent reservation in village panchayats and added the day was not far off when they would be able to get similar reservation in state legislatures and Parliament.

Dr Kidwai highlighted the role of women in the freedom movement specially, 'Jhansi kee Rani' who even fought in the battlefield. He also lauded former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for taking far reaching decisions, which no other politicians had been able to take so far.

Earlier, National Commission for Women Chairperson Girija Vyas said the need for organizing regional conferences arose due to the "failure" to achieve desired results after the passing of Domestic Violence Act.

She said that Government, police and judiciary had not propagated this Act effectively. She disclosed that only four states had so far appointed service providers (NGOs) after this Act into force one year ago.

Referring to cases of eve-teasing, abortion, rape, cruelty by husband, immoral trafficking and dowry menace in the country, Mrs Vyas said the data did not reflect a satisfactory position.

UNI