Mangalore : Many organisations from Mangalore, Bangalore in association with Forum against Atrocities on Women and Network of Women Organisations have jointly organized a public meeting as a part of International Women’s Day at Karavali Festival Ground on Mar 8, Friday.

Bhanwari Devi from Rajasthan, the main force behind the Vishaka Guidelines Against Sexual Harassment at the Workplace inaugurated the meeting unveiling the portrait of women.

Speaking on the occasion, she said that she was raped by a gang of 5 men, when she was working along with her husband in the field. But the Rajasthan court did not provide justice till 58 hours of her rape and later it was Vishaka Guidelines which helped her.

She also said that the rape victims must not be ashamed of their issue, since it is not their mistake, but must take stern action against the incident so that the justice makes rapists ashamed of themselves. She said that she was given an offer of Rs 25,000 to close the case, but she opted for justice instead and will fight for it girls freedom.

The women must take a stern decision and urge the leaders to set up court and organisation for the welfare of women before casting their valuable votes further, she added.

Sushila Nada, president of Koraga Community, inaugurated the rally and said that the atrocities and violence against women will not be changed by conducting such kind of programmes and meeting, but might join hand with the association to fight against the injustice against them.

Author-novelist Sara Abubakar, said that today girls in Dakshina Kannada are taken to police station for small complaints, but in Kerala if the police officials take women to custody, the women of the state come to street and protest against the department.

Sukri Bommana Gowda, folk song artiste said that women must not have any party, caste and religion, but must support their gender and create a situation where men respect every women in society.

Litterateur Vaidehi presided over the event. Gulabi Bilimale of Forum against Atrocities on Women welcomed the guests and gathering.

Members of various organisation Apoline Gomes, Rathi Ra, Mamatha, Sharanamma, Jayalakshmi BR, Ruth Manorama, Shahnaz, Neela, Nisha, Gauri, Ratnamma, Satya, Bhagirathi, Meera Nayak, Sumalatha Suvarna, Sunitha and many others spoke on the occasion.

Women’s organisation rendered many pro women songs, which enthralled the gathered womens at the venue.

Prior to the public meeting, the organisations participated in the mass silent rally took out from Bunt’s Hostel Circle to Karavali Circle ground.