Women should develop fighting spirit, become tough: Karnataka Women Commission's Nagalakshmi Chaudhary

Nagalakshmi pointed out that there are strict laws in place to prevent crimes against women, but those who become victims of atrocities against them, hesitate to pursue legal fights.

Mandya: Women need to develop a fighting spirit and become tough like a diamond. Violence against women can be reduced only by understanding the law, said Nagalakshmi Choudhary, Chairperson of the State Women's Commission.

She was presiding over the programme on the topic Stree andare ashte saake organised as part of 87th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, at Kempananjammanni and Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar stadium, in Mandya, on Sunday.

Nagalakshmi pointed out that there are strict laws in place to prevent crimes against women. But women, who become victims of atrocities against them, hesitate to pursue legal fights.

"She is hesitant to lodge a police complaint due to various pressures on her. The atrocities will not come down until they come forward and fight legally," she stated.

Nagalakshmi said, “It was B R Ambedkar, who empowered women socially and educationally. A women’s movement started during the time of social reformer Basavanna. She stated, “To empower women, a platform must be given”.

The session also discussed the female foeticide, honour killing and other incidents.

Poet Subhashri Prasad said, “The ideals imposed by a male-dominated society have burdened women. Oppression and exploitation against women continue in all fields”.

Men have expectations about the qualities women should possess. When a woman rejects them they resort to acid attacks. They also use character assassination as the weapon. She also pointed out the heinous murder of a doctor in Delhi, and a woman stripped and humiliated in Manipur. Such incidents should make the society hang its head in shame, she said.

The speaker also pointed out that the mafia of women being sold in the pretext of marriage is still active. The woman is pushed into flesh trade after marriage. Women are still being victimised in various fields. Women are distressed by social media due to obscene messages and fake nude images. She has been imposed religious restrictions on matters of birth and death, deprived of education due to various reasons, she expressed concern.

Discrimination

Discrimination against women in wages, salaries and promotions was also discussed. There is no priority for women in recruitment due to six-month maternity leave. At times, when women gain authority through reservations, their husbands take decisions in their work turning them ‘rubber stamps’. Women are frustrated over not having the freedom to spend money they earn, the speakers pointed out.