Youngsters should take a pledge that they will never demand or accept dowry in future. Better awareness levels need to be created among people to do away with dowry system. Women need to demand medical examination of the prospective spouse done before their marriage and be smarter, president of Praja Spandana C.S. Rao has said.
On the eve of Women’s Day, the All India Mahila Samskrutika Sangham (AIMSS) has featured a workshop to promote gender equality here on Friday. The whole idea was to encourage women to come out of their shell and know their rights and fight against inequalities.
City convenor of AIMSS M. Tejovathi said that the sangham has formed Nirbhaya committee to address issues relating to violence against women. And that those interested to help curb gender violence can join the team.
State president of AIMSS Ch. Prameela, Assistant Professor of Department of Economics, Andhra University K. Sailaja and other invitees spoke on gender discrimination and measures to control the same. They said that children should be sensitised in schools and colleges and that counsellors should be appointed in every institution to address gender issues.
Winners of the essay-writing competition, organised by AIMSS on the occasion of International Women’s Day, also received prizes. Some of the students performed classical dance.
CarnivalMeanwhile, Visakhapatnam Port Trust celebrated 103 International Women’s Day as a carnival. With the theme of the year being ‘Inspiring Change’, the staff of the VPT joined hands to promote violence-free environment for women. Chief Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise Deepa B. Dasgupta, who was the chief guest, said that gender equality can be achieved through education and eradication of poverty. And that the measures taken to curb violence should reach out to rural women, she said.
Deputy Chairman of VPT G.V.L. Satya Kumar underlined the importance of education among women. Citing various examples, he said that women should focus on their goals and contribute to society by being financially independent.
VPT’s Women’s Cell hosted various competitions like cookery, elocution and ‘rangoli’. Assistant Commandant CISF, VPT, Chaya was felicitated for winning silver and bronze medals in the Asian Weightlifting Championship. Founder of Shreya Foundation, specially-challenged school, Usha Devi, senior medical officer of VPT Radha Srinivasan and several women employees of VPT participated in the event.
