Mangalore : Forum against Atrocities on Women along with a host of other women activists groups across Karnataka have decided to come together to hold a silent march, candle light vigil and public meeting in Mangalore on Saturday, January 24 opposing repeated sexual assault on women.

Speaking at the press meet held at Press Club on Jan 22, Tuesday, Gulabi Bilimale of Forum Against Atrocities on Women and Sanchalana said that the country has been greatly shamed and all its citizens saddened, and angered by the horrendous gang rape and murder of the Delhi girl at the end of 2012.

She said that repeated instances of sexual assault on women have raised the consciousness of the nation to unprecedented heights. Through her death and torture she suffered, the Delhi brave heart has succeeded in bringing about unimaginable changes in India

Amidst positive signs, negative and insensitive comments from leaders across the political and religious spectrum indicating a misogynistic and patriarchal mindset cannot be ignored, since there is a general sense of male domination and female subjugation in the country cutting across castes, religions, communities and professions embracing all walks of life and pervades the family, work place, schools, films, songs, advertisements and so on.

She further said that the Forum will observe the Women’s Day 2013 with the support of women from different parts of Karnataka converging for a series of symbolic protests in Mangalore on March 6, 7 and 8. Hence as a curtain raiser event, Forum Against Atrocities on Women along with likeminded organizations and students from several colleges in Mangalore will undertake a silent march from Jyothi circle at 4:45 pm to Ladies Club via Balmatta Road followed by a candle light vigil and public meeting at Ladies Club grounds on Light House Hill on January 24.

Eminent Mumbai based women’s rights lawyer and director of ‘Majlis’, Flavia Agnes will address the gathering on the occasion, she said.

She also appealed the protestors to dress in pink as symbolic demand for justice during the silent march.

Vidya Dinker, activist and member of the Forum Against Atroities on Women, said on the occasion that the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) has even the cloth banners of the event put up by the Forum across the city even after getting it sealed and paid for it..

Loretta Rebello of Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development and Mangalore Ladies Club, Shahnaz M, Editor, ‘Anupama’ Women’s Monthly, Dr. Derek Lobo of Catholic Association of South Canara and Nazarene BM Sun, Student Volunteer, II MSW, St Aloysius College, Mangalore, were also present.