The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) national girls’ convener Dipsita Dhar called upon girl students to organise themselves into a cohesive force to combat the unabated crimes against women and girls.
She was speaking at the inaugural of the two-day State-level convention of girl students of SFI here on Monday.
Addressing a huge gathering of girl students, she said incidents of violence against women and girls were continuing unabated in the country despite the tall claims by the ruling BJP dispensation at the Centre about women’s safety.
Notwithstanding the much touted slogan of the BJP-led Central government ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’, thousands of girl students continue to grapple with lack of toilets and other basic amenities in the State-run educational institutions across the country, she alleged.
The need of the hour is to build a united platform to wage a relentless struggle against all forms of atrocities against girls and empower them through education to speak out against injustices and ascertain their rights, she noted.
SFI State girls’ convener S. Rajini highlighted the need for strengthening and expanding the SHE Teams’ network across the State by allocating adequate budget to effectively curb crimes against women.
Committees should be formed in all colleges to create greater awareness about SHE Teams to prevent eve-teasing and harassment, she demanded.
Other speakers slammed the BJP-led Central government for allegedly trying to dismantle the public education system and promote privatisation thereby undermining the interests of lakhs of students from underprivileged and marginalised groups.
SFI State president R.L. Murthy, district president Ashok and secretary Ramesh were present among others.
Earlier, scores of girl students owing allegiance to the SFI took out a huge rally from the Government Women’s Degree College to Varthaka Sangha Bhavan in the town.
