City Police Commissioner N. Madhusudan Reddy expressed concern over the sharp rise in number of cases booked under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, in Vijayawada.
Addressing the valedictory session of ‘Kalayika –Court of Women', a two-day workshop at Fr. Devaiah auditorium on the campus of Andhra Loyola College, Mr. Reddy said on Thursday that the relative increase in the number of cases had necessitated the department to shift focus on the issue.
He said that on an average 110 cases pertaining to domestic violence were being booked every month under Section 498 (A). In the last three months (May-July) 362-odd domestic violence cases were booked in the Vijayawada Commissionerate, he observed stressing the need for a woman to be aware of her rights.
Disturbing trend
Mr. Reddy said the fact that 78 eve teasing cases were booked in the last three months, indicated that the menace was on the rise. Krishna district convenor of Kalayika, a consortium of women organisations, Theresa, explained the origin and evolution of the unique concept of ‘Courts of Women'.
Director of Women Voice/Asian Women's Human Rights Council, Bangalore, Ruth Manorama, spoke. Advocate Ammaji, Director APSSS, Eluru, Chandrakshi, retired headmistress Satyavathi and Hema Parimi of Jabilli hospital, Vijayawada, presided over the testimonies of 22 women who shared their traumatic experiences.
The jury panel comprised advocate and social activist from Hyderabad Kalpana Kannabiran, former Director of Mahila Samakhya, Karnataka, Suchitra Vedanth, former member of Consumer Forum, Vijayawada, V.V.S. Murthy and member of Asian Women's Human Rights Council Ruth Manorama. Executive Director of Navajeevan Bala Bhavan Fr. Thomas Koshy, coordinated the event.
