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In recognition of a lifetime devoted to the pursuit of non-violence, the United Nations has declared the 2nd of October, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, as the International Day of Non-violence. On this occasion, this year, the Ministry of Women & Child Development is launching a nationwide campaign for prevention of violence against women to create greater awareness about the issue.
Interacting with the media here today on the eve of launch of the campaign, Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister of Women & Child Development said that women empowerment and welfare is a high priority for the Government. Though women constitute more that 48% of the population and are acknowledged as the very foundation for the development of the society and the country as a whole, the issue concerning them, and more importantly, the abuse of their rights, remains often neglected. In fact, the incidence of violence against women within the home and outside is quite alarming.
The Ministry of Women & Child Development has taken many important steps to protect the rights of women and ensure their welfare, development and empowerment. Schemes such as Swadhar and Short Stay Homes and Ujjawala provide relief and rehabilitation to women in distress. However, there is a need to bring to center stage the issue of promoting non-violence and preventing all forms of abuse and violence against women in our society through mass awareness programmes. The Government efforts will yield desired result only when all sections of society come forward to contribute and support these efforts.
The Minister said that to mark the occasion, the Ministry is holding a Meet of more than 5000 women at the India Gate Lawns on 2nd October. These women will be Aaganwadi Workers as well as Self-Help Groups and representatives of various walks of life. The participants at the Meet will form a human chain to express solidarity for the cause of non-violence and upholding the rights of women.
The Meet will be attended by many dignitaries including the Minister of Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath, Ms. Syeda Hameed, Member, Planning Commission; Shri Tejendra Khanna, Lt.Governor of Delhi and many eminent women who are dedicated to the cause of empowerment of women and heads of some of the prominent National Organizations working for women.
Smt. Tirath said during the campaign a number of activities will be carried out to create mass awareness about the issue at the grass root level besides strengthening and launching new schemes for the empowerment of women and welfare of children. To begin with 25 best performing trained and elected women panchayat leaders from 14 States have been meticulously selected to launch campaign against violence in their respective areas.
Prabhat Pharies involving local leaders and opinion makers will be organized throughout the country on 2nd October to mark the launch of this campaign through 11 lakh Anganwadies. State Social Welfare Boards, National and State Commissions for Women, 100 Gender Resource Centres will also take part in the campaign.
A Community Empowerment Campaign on Prevention of Violence Against Dalit Women will also be launched at Harijan Colony, Daya Basti in New Delhi on 2nd October beside organising a National Meet on Prevention of Violence Against Dalit Women at Harijan Sevak Sangh, New Delhi. Source
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