Call to fight violence against women, children

Dozens of youth took out a rally here on Sunday as part of a campaign against rising incidence of child abuse and gender violence in the country.

Scores of students from various educational institutions took part in the campaign organised by Khammam Youth Association, a town-based non-governmental organisation. The rally, “Run for a Cause”, culminated in a meeting at the Pavilion Grounds. The participants displayed placards condemning violence against women.

Addressing the gathering, speakers underlined the need for strict enforcement of child and women protection laws to curb gender-based violence, including atrocities against women, domestic violence and harassment of women at the workplace. Some of them suggested that stringent laws should be formulated to ensure deterrent action against perpetrators of violence. Youth activists staged a demonstration on the importance of self-defence.