Delhi’s women need to be made aware about their rights and the importance of their empowerment, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said here Saturday.
“We need to make women aware about their powers, only then will they feel empowered. Awareness is more important than legal empowerment,” Dikshit said as she flagged off the ‘bell bajao’ campaign against domestic violence.
The campaign, by global human rights organisation Breakthrough, will reach people through video vans that will aim at engaging and educating communities to spread awareness about the protection of women through the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005.
“The motto should be to reach out to maximum number of women. Aware and sensitive neighbourhood are the keys to curb the menace of domestic violence,” Dikshit said.
The campaign, which has already reached over 140 million people across different parts of the country, has reported a 15 percent increase in the reporting of complaints against domestic violence.
“Women are forced to stay mum. That’s what we are raising the campaign for. We want women to come out of the four walls and speak up on the issue,” Delhi Women and Child Development Minister Kiran Walia told.
Members of Breakthrough emphasised on the need to sensitise men and women equally. The 15-day campaign will culminate with the International Women’s Day celebrations.
“It is a call to change cultural norms and bring domestic violence to a halt. To set the perfect example, young girls from a theatre group in Lucknow will be a part of this campaign,” said Mallika Dutt, president of Breakthrough
