Workshop on gender inequalities at RLEK

A day long seminar on addressing gender inequalities through active involvement of men and boys in the process was organised by Pragati organisation at the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK).

Uttarakhand human rights commission member Hemlata Dhaundiyal said that in the 48^th Conference, Brazil, 2004-2005, the need was felt that both men and boys are needed for women empowerment. Even in the Beijing Declaration, Section 25 it was written that there should be equal participation of men in women empowerment programmes. It is important that men should also come in front and accept as well as empower women, so that they can work in partnership, she said.

Addressing the congregation the state women commission member secretary Ramindri Mandrawal talked about the laws prevalent in the Constitution and how the state women commission handles cases without any prejudice. Answering to queries from students of UPES as to why there are no laws to protect men from sexual harassment or from false cases filed against them, Mandarwal said that laws are made in accordance with the need of society and with such cases coming up now, laws would be made regarding the men as well. Besides this the commission sees to it that undue advantage is not given to women, she added.

Adding to this, the state women commission chairperson Sarojini Kaintura said that the commission calls both sides, hears and counsels them.