’Women face more discrimination than the backward class’: Shobha Karandlaje

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Mar 09, 2018 : Chikkamagaluru-Udupi MP and BJP General Secretary Shobha Karandlaje on Wednesday said that women face a lot more discrimination in society when compared to those in the backward class. She was speaking at a panel discussion organised by Deccan Herald and Prajavani as part of an event to mark International Women’s Day.

 

Umashree, Minister for Kannada and Culture and Women and Child Development, and Dr Lakshmi Ashwin Gowda, JD(S) member, were part of the panel on ‘Women in Politics’. The event included experts from various fields.

The panel was of the opinion that self-motivation plays a dominant role in a woman’s life. The Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament, women’s safety, health and education were the other topics discussed.

On the effectiveness of women’s reservation in local bodies, Umashree said that it is leading to a silent revolution, which is helping women understand their duties as public servants. “Though the woman representative will be dominated by male members of her family, she will understand her role and responsibility in society by the end of her five-year term," said Umashree. "She will attend several meetings. She will get a lot of opportunities. These are the things that help her to know her role in society."

Karandlaje said, “An educated woman can bring change to society. Firstly, we should work towards giving education to women. This leads her to understand her fundamental duties as a citizen and leader.”

Karandlaje added: “There are many women who are balancing their family and their profession. Family should not be a reason for her to give up the opportunity. Women are capable of doing multiple roles at a time."

Gowda gave up her job as a civil servant and recently joined politics. She started her career as a doctor, then took the Indian Civil Service exam and was placed at a top post for the Indian Railways in Kolkata. Gowda has now joined Janata Dal (Secular). She believes that it’s the responsibility of women politicians to make sure that women’s welfare schemes reach the intended beneficiaries.

“Women’s empowerment should begin at the family level," said Gowda. "This gives her moral support and allows her to face any situation. Women politicians should be aware of women’s welfare programmes from the government."

The panel said that a change in people’s mindsets and effective enforcement of the law would help in reducing crimes against women. “Firstly, there should be a friendly environment in society," said Karandlaje. "We should increase the number of women in the police force, which will encourage women to approach them to lodge a complaint. The assaulter should be made aware of the consequences and the judiciary has to work in that manner."

Pointing to recent examples of women chief ministers in other states, Umashree and Karandlaje said they hoped to see Karnataka’s first woman chief minister very soon.


courtesy:DHNS