“There are a number of laws for protection of women, but when they themselves are not aware of the legal remedies available, it is unlikely that they would get justice,” said speakers at the valedictory of the ‘Jai Ho Mahila’, a campaign for women safety, organised by the District Police here on Thursday.
While appreciating the week-long campaign conducted by the police, District Judge V. Venkata Prasad, who participated as chief guest, underlined the importance of women knowing the laws, which were made for their protection.
He said the government was providing free legal counselling and legal aid to women and children. They need not pay the court fee and the advocate fee. They should, however, apply to the District Legal Services Authority or the courts in this regard.
District Collector V. Seshadri recalled that women had been respected in India since time immemorial. Women had outdone men in various fields, which was an indication of their progress. He said the Delhi incident wounded the conscience of the nation. He felt that campaigns like ‘jai ho’ would help in preventing the recurrence of such incidents.
Superintendent of Police G. Sreenivas recalled the events organised during the week to create awareness among women, tips on self- defence, and protection of oneself from anti-social elements. He said that Women Protection Committees were set up in all villages and family counselling centres opened at Anakapalle, Narsipatnam, and Elamanchili.
Mr. Sreenivas hoped that the committees would function well and advocated formation of committees in colleges also to prevent harassment of girl students. He spoke of his desire to set up statues of ‘Jai Ho Mahila’ at Anakapalle and Atchutapuram if donors came forward to fund it.
Lauding the efforts of the SP towards women empowerment, Elamanchili MLA U.V. Ramana Murthy Raju (Kannababu) announced that he would bear the cost of the statues. He called for greater awareness among women on the legal remedies available to them.
Singer and actor V. Sai Kiran and Women’s Committee member of Jago Mahila campaign Alekhya spoke. Comedians Jogi Naidu and Kallu Chidambaram were present.
