SAMPRATHI- 2016 inaugurated at St. Aloysius College

SAMPRATHI- 2016 inaugurated at St. Aloysius College

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru Sep 20, 2016: National Alliance for Women President Dr Ruth Manorama inaugurated SAMPRATHI-2016 a two-day National seminar on ’Women in Changing India’ at St Aloysius College on September 20, Tuesday. The seminar is organized by MSW Department of the College.

 

Addressing the gathering, Dr Ruth Manorama briefed about the Indian women’s role in the family, community and society at large and added that it was determined by an inter play of several forces such as caste and gender based division of work, class background, geographic location and ethnic group of particular community.

She further stated that  the sex ratio of women remains lowered compared to men as missing women are victims of sex-selective abortion with a few even ending up in brothels. There are several challenges faced by women in   Indian society as these concerns cannot be perceived in isolation from the state, he added.

"Women’s limited public and political participation restricts progress towards non discrimination and leads to further marginalization. It is a matter of concern that women’s political participation in state and national level remains low," said Manorama.

The younger generation especially students are challenging the undemocratic practices, violence against women, and discrimination against students on caste basis in University campuses, concluded Manorama.

In his presidential address Rector St Aloysius Rev Fr Dionysius Vaz said that one needs to be aware about the usefulness of conducting  seminars. Such a  seminar will be useful only when one  starts thinking practically about the problems faced by slum women and  devadasis.

"Today women are doubly triply discriminated in the society and when a woman is sexually assaulted in work places, she has to either fight with men or with herself. Dealing with men is the most challenging step for   women in this Indian society. Students need to involve themselves to raise voice against women issues,", urged Fr Dionysius.

"There will be  major change amongst women in India only  when the Indian men start  celebrating women’s day every day," he added.

Principal of St Aloysius College Rev Fr Swebert D’Silva SJ, Head of MSW Department Dr Loveena Lobo, Program Convener Shwetha Rasquinha, Student Convener Sharooq were present.