Mangalore : National Women’s Front (NWF) inaugurated a national publicity campaign at Loyala Hall on October 17, as precursor to the national women’s conference to be scheduled in Coimbatore next month.

Speaking after inaugurating the event NWF national president Shahida Aslam said that even to the present day society continues to look at women as commodities meant to be used.

She also said that even though prostitution will be legalized, it will not prevent the incident of sexual crimes on women in the country.

Delivering the keynote address, NWF national committee member Shahida Tasneem said that even to the present days women did not receive the dignity and respect they deserve from centuries. Women may reach any heights with her ability and education but still they are subjected to atrocities at the hands of others.

She also said that the development taking place in the country is superficial and does not meet the requirements of underprivileged women.

Today India is much behind Pakistan and even Nepal in terms of women’s representation in politics and no serious efforts are made in this direction.

Columnist Jyothi Guruprasad, Beary Sahitya Academy member Zohra Abbas, Mumtaz Pakkladka of Asare Women’s Foundation, NWF Kerala state president Ramla Teacher and Tamil Nadu state president Raziya also spoke on the occasion.

Fathima Naseema, state president of NWF delivered the presidential address on the occasion.

The organization also felicitated Corraine Rasquinha for her service towards humanity, Maryam Ismail for her contribution in the field of literature and Sameera and Fouzia for achievements in the education.