Three strategies to curb violence against women

A three-pronged strategy to bring down cases of violence against women in Odisha was announced at the 2nd Nirbhaya Samaroh, organised by Odisha-based OYSS Women and the Honour for Women National Campaign, in New Delhi on Thursday.

Six-time Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Mohsina Kidwai and Padma awardees Dr Sonal Mansingh, Dr Uma Sharma, Dr Saroja Vaidyanathan and Dr Jayarama Rao joined the event, which was attended by over 700 women representatives from different walks of life.

Announcing the strategies, Campaign Founder Manasi Pradhan said the first strategy would be to put pressure on the Odisha Government to cut down liquor license to half of its present level within next one year and secure a complete clamp down on illicit liquor trade. “The second is to secure a judicial or executive mandate to wrap up all cases relating to crime against women within a year with a designated fast-track court for the purpose in every district,” she said.

The third strategy would be to pressurize the Odisha Government to include self-defence training for girl students as a course from middle-level school to college and university level, Pradhan added.