Eminent women and social activists from different walks of life shared their views on the sorry state of women in the society at the webinar.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI —Raising voice against the growing trend of exploitation of women in society, participants at a webinar called for an end to the objectification of women. The webinar, “Objectification and Violence on Women – New Norm of Cultural Appropriation”, was organised by the women’s department of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind on Monday. Eminent women and social activists from different walks of life shared their views on the sorry state of women in the society at the webinar.
Expressing concern over the shabby treatment meted out to women in today’s society, participants at the webinar said it is detrimental to the progress of the society and the nation at large.
In her presidential address, general secretary of the Women Education and Empowerment Trust (TWEET), Ms. Shaista Rifat, said, “Violence and abuse of women is not specific to any one country, but it has become a global phenomenon. However, the situation in our country in this matter is quite serious needing urgent attention.”
She attributed the scourge of violence against women to the mindset that doesn’t consider woman as human being. Instead she is treated as an object. This objectification, she said, is rampant in our society today. The capitalist system and the media are exploiting women to use them as a commodity. She called on the women to speed up their efforts to change these conditions.
In her opening address, Ms. Rahmathunnisa, national secretary of the Women’s Department of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, questioned the society’s silence on the exploitation and violence against women. “Women today are not safe anywhere, neither at home, not at market or workplace. Rather than enduring it all in silence, it’s time women raised their voice against the injustice against them so that they could realise their right to live as a equal partner in society.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Farzana Khan emphasised the need to change the opinion about women in society. She said laws should be enacted in such a way that could ensure justice to the oppressed women.
Another speaker, Advocate Vaishali Dulas, called for a stop to the nudity spread by the media. She said that the women should raise their voice against the injustice done to Bilkis Bano.
Ms. Jaishree Shirke, a member of Vanchit Samaj Aghadi, said that “a woman is not a piece of decoration. Women should collectively fight for their rights and strive to ensure justice for the oppressed sisters.”
Ms. Samar Ali, general secretary of the National Federation of GIO (Girls Islamic Organisation), said, “Whether it’s a matter of wearing hijab or abaya, it depends on the choice of the person. It is wrong to treat those who wear hijab as orthodox or oppressed. We have to fight against the exploitation of women so that they can get their rightful place in society.”
Ms. Rama Sundari, HOD, Department of Electronics, Women’s Polytechnic College, Guntur, blamed the culture of beauty pageants for the commodification of woman where a woman is looked upon as mere a commodity to be used for commercial purposes.
She praised the role of Muslim women, especially during the anti-CAA protests and the Corona pandemic which helped change the society’s perception about women.
Assistant Professor Dr. Uma Singh said be it at home or office, violence against women has been normalised in today’s society. Give them higher education, but don’t teach them to bear oppression in silence.”
