Call to treat women with dignity

Students participating in a signature campaign on "Respect Women at home and outside to mark the International Womens Day" organised by Indian Society for Cultural Co-operation and Friendship at AS Raja Women's College in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Photo: A.Manikanta Kumar

The theme ‘Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum’ of International Women’s Day appears to be catching the attention of NGOs, schools, colleges and voluntary organisations across the city.

With every organisation teaming up to organise rally and a series of interesting events on the occasion, Indian Society for Cultural Cooperation and Friendship (ISCUF) launched a five-day ‘signature campaign’ here on Monday.

Scores of employees of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), students and staff of A.S. Raja Jr. Mahila College, SSVP VMC Degree and PG College and Bhashyam School participated in the campaign that focussed on creating awareness on various issues such as respect and safeguard women at home and other places, oppose gender discrimination in socio-economic and political fields, oppose western culture that leads to negative impact on the youth and to promote and preserve Indian heritage and culture.

The signature campaign covered two areas during the day -- VSP and A.S. Raja College campus at MVP Colony. Signing on the occasion, general secretary of VSP D. Adinaryana told the employees to respect women at home and at workplaces and safeguard them against all kinds of harassment and ill-treatment.

P. Peddi Raju, M.A. Madhava Rao, N. Misra and Bose Babu of ISCUF Steel Plant branch stressed the need to create awareness on gender sensitisation.

Secretary of ISCUF T.S. Sukumaran and general secretary A.V. Rao said there was a need to change the mindset and treat women with dignity. More than law that plays major role in controlling the sexual offences, they said, right approach and positive attitude would bring better results to help curb all kinds of assaults against women.

The second half of the campaign was held at A.S. Raja College campus where thousands of students gathered at the venue to take part in the signature campaign. Principal of SSVP VMC Degree and PG College Laurens, Principal of A.S. Raja Junior College Narayana Rao, Principal of Bhashyam Public School Ch. Seshu underlined the need to educate women and students on gender agenda.

S. Sankara Rao convenor of ISCUF coordinated with parents, teachers and media to educate children towards positive thinking and help bring universal change.