MADURAI: The annual United Nations Women Campaign- ’16 days of activism # No Excuse – UNiTE to end violence against women’ had started at Lady Doak College in Madurai on November 20th 2024 under the aegis of Centre for Women’s Studies of LDC.
This is a firm activism against gender-based violence that calls for a world for women to live freely and safely.
Mr.Justice V.Sivagnanam of Madras High Court had inaugurated the 16 days activism in the presence of Deputy Commissioner of Police Ms.S.Vanitha, senior advocate Mr.K.Samidurai, LDC Principal Dr.Beulah Jeyashree, vice-principal Dr.Nimma Elizabeth, college Bursar Dr.Vanitha Malarvizhi, Chaplain Dr.Jesse Ranjitha Jebaselvi and others.
Justice S.Manikumar, Chairperson, State Human Rights Commission, was present online for the inaugural session and he had commended the college for instituting Justice K.Swamidurai Prize for the best outgoing student of undergraduate and postgraduate who supports her peers to address the crimes against women, a press release received from LDC has said.
A YOUNG GIRL IS EXAMPLE:
While Justice Sivagnanam had urged the students to be self-confident and not be overpowered with external influences, the Deputy Commissioner of Police Ms.S.Vanitha had recounted a case story where a 14-year-old who was abused had herself went to the police station to file a complaint and that resulted in a strong conviction of the perpetrator.
Mr.K.Samidurai, senior advocate, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, had recalled how the Lady Doak College students of Madurai had represented to the then District Collector in the year 2015 to prevent the opening of a bar in a mall in Madurai city which was surrounded by educational institutions while in another case a student had represented to him to obtain compensation for an acid attack survivor in Madurai.
Justice S.Manikumar and the other speakers had called for proactive steps to prevent violence on women and commended the initiatives taken by LDC for larger awareness. LDC Principal and Secretary Dr.Beulah Jeyashree R in had emphasized that the activism campaign is a strong message that women cannot be continually silenced and that women will not tolerate abuse.
Dr.Vanitha Malarvizhi who proposed a vote of thanks had pointed out that knowledge and awareness are key to overcoming violence and for empowerment of women.
