'Govts failed to give basic amenities to women'

Karnataka stands second in the crimes perpetuated against women, says ex-MLA

As women have either been restricted to kitchen or have been commodified, they have been forced to come out on streets even for fulfilment of some their basic necessities, said former legislator and CPM State Secretary G V Srirama Reddy.

He was speaking at the women’s awareness convention (Mahila Jagruti Samavesha) organised by the Akhila Bharata Janawadi Mahalia Sanghatan in front of the Taluk Panchayat in Bagepalli on Sunday.

Karnataka, incidentally stands second in the crimes perpetuated against the women in the country, he added.

Women have been commodified to an extent that their nude pictures and blue films earn crores of rupees. The trend could severely hamper the growth of the society and nation, he added.

Every year, on March 8, the State and Central governments organise various programmes to mark International Women’s Day. However, the same governments failed to give basic amenities to the women.

Women, who form 50 per cent of the population in the country, lack toilet facility. It is shameful that governments even failed in providing one toilet per family, Reddy added.

The rich and powerful are entering politics to protect their ill-gotten wealth.

They are literally buying votes by spending crores of rupees, he added.
Both the State and Central governments, which is waiving loans of the rich, have not bothered to provide comprehensive ration cards coupled with efficient public distribution system, good roads, plots and houses for homeless, Reddy added.

Akhila Bharata Janawadi Mahalia Sanghatan Central Committee member Nirmala said that the governments should waive bank loans availed by the members of Stree Shakti groups to empower them economically. Women should be given houses and plots.

Further, strict laws should be evolved and enforced to stop crimes against women, she said and added that women should organised themselves and should fight against the apathy of the State and Central government.

Sanghatan’s State vice president Geeta urged voters not fall for political parties and leaders poll gimmicks and asked them to vote for true leaders who have consistently raised women’s safety issue.

Procession

Earlier in the day thousands of members of the Sanghatan took out a procession from HN Circle to Taluk Panchayat office prior to the beginning of the convention.