Judge calls for change in mindset towards women

Senior Civil Judge and secretary of District Legal Services Authority D. Dharma Rao has called for a change in mindset of public towards women and their rights for laws to be effective. He said that several laws were made for protection of women but it is for them to avail of the same.

Participating as chief guest at a panel discussion on “Women’s rights and social responsibilities” organised by the Academic Staff College (ASC) of Andhra University on Thursday, he said that stringent punishments were prescribed in the law but unless women booked cases against the accused there was little that the law enforcing agencies could do . Referring to the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court in the Visakha Case , he said that whenever women face any kind of sexual harassment they could directly complain to their management. Mr. Dharma Rao said that whoever insults the modesty of a woman through signals or words or even whistles while looking at them could be imprisoned up to one year.

Referring to the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, he said that it was unfortunate that not even a single case was filed under it before the wedding. Presiding over the meeting, director of ASC G. Ramachandrudu felt that rights should start right from the home. Convener of the Centre for Women’s Studies B. Ratna Kumari felt that gender inequality was more at the workplace.

Dr. S. Sumitra of AU College of Law said that the State should take steps to prevent character assassination of women.

Former Director of ASC K. Ravi, Course coordinator T. Subbarayudu, former NSS Coordinator T. Shoba Sree and ASC faculty N.A.V. Prasad Reddy were present.