Prominent women from different walks of life and lawmakers Thursday underlined the importance of women empowerment and called for not looking at the issue from political or religions angle.
Speaking at a book release function here, they said India should become a country where women are considered equal and their constitutional rights safeguarded.
Bureaucrat-turned-activist Abha Singh, actors Poonam Dhillon, Gul Panag and Bhagyashree, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) co-convener Noorjehan Safia Naaz, NCP Member of Parliament Majeed Memon and AIMIM legislator Waris Pathan put forth their views on women empowerment.
They said when it comes to women empowerment, everyone, including the political class, should set aside their self-interest and push for it.
The prominent personalities expressed their views after the launch of the Urdu version of Hindi book “Stree: Dasha Aur Disha”. The Hindi version, co-authored by Singh, was released last year.
The book is an initiative of city-based NGO RannSamar, which works for women empowerment and gender justice in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Noorjehan, one of the petitioners in the triple talaq case, emphasised on a codified law for Muslims, saying this will safeguard their constitutional rights.
Bhagyashree pitched for making suitable changes in laws for all communities.
Terming the #MeToo movement as a “good thing”, Dhillon, recently appointed Mumbai BJP vice-president, said, “We need to change the pro-man mindset prevailing in the society.”
“Besides, we also need to rationalise laws with current scenario,” she said.
Singh said the book highlights the present condition of women and encourages them to stand up for her rights.
“So far, laws have been accessed largely by urban women. Domestic violence and cases were reported by urban women.
“(Through the book) we want to empower and sensitise the rest of the women in their own language,” Singh said.
