Women bear the brunt of most rights violations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: "Citizens should be made aware of their rights so that they can easily detect any violation of these rights,’’ State Women’s Commission chairperson Justice D Sreedevi said here on Wednesday. She was presiding over the inaugural function of the fourth day of the Reading Week at VJT Hall. The theme for the day was, ‘Social justice and human rights.’ The seven days from June 19 to 25 are being observed as ‘Reading Week’ in the State by the P N Panicker Foundation. In her address, Sreedevi was especially vehement in stressing the importance of the enforcement of women’s rights. "Women bear the brunt of most human rights violations in the State as is proven in the numerous instances of violence towards women,’’ she said. Commenting on P N Panicker and his contributions to Kerala society, Sreedevi said: "He was a man of exceptional enthusiasm and verve. His library movement throughout the villages in Kerala brought about social justice to millions of villagers.’’ Former Minister of State for Railways O Rajagopal said that man was being alienated by factors such as political parties, caste and religion. "There are plenty of laws in the country aimed at promoting social justice. However, the implementation of these laws is left much to be desired,” he said on the day’s theme. Referring to the recent statement by the High Court to eliminate criminals from the police force, Rajagopal said, "such facts have sadly become realities and it is such realities that have distorted social justice in India.’’ Rajagopal was of the opinion that sincerity towards social justice should be instilled in those implementing laws. Former MP Pannian Raveendran spoke on the importance of emancipation of women and called on women to empower themselves and make a conscious effort not to be second class citizens.