Bollywood actors come together to prevent violence against women
By ANIWednesday, February 17, 2010
MUMBAI - Bollywood actors Minissha Lamba, Neha Dhupia and Mugdha Godse participated in a protest rally on Tuesday to raise their voices against domestic violence on women.
The initiative, which was held under the banner of the Pearls Wave Foundation, an NGO, has been spreading awareness about many social evils, including violence against women
The actors urged women to break social barriers and take a firm stand against abuse, harassment, threat and torture.
Minisha Lamba suggested women use weapons, which are easily available at home to defend themselves.
“There is a very good invention at home and that is belan (rolling pin). You can use the belan for a purpose other than rolling chapatis. The other item is the thing that women use at home to beat clothes while washing clothes. These are the two weapons of destruction you have at your disposal. Please use it very productively. These are actually disguised weapons, which is actually used for something else but women have disguised these weapons very smartly all these years and kept as weapons in their house,” said Minisha.
Neha Dhupia replied that for a woman her voice is the best weapon and asked them to speak about their problems.
“There is always one thing which people keep complaining about that we women scream and shout a lot. So when someone is beating you, scream your lungs out of your windows and doors, so that people outside come to know what is happening inside your house. There is nothing to hide and it takes a lot of courage to come out and talk about your household problems, I think your weapon has to be your voice,” said Neha.
Jyoti Narain, Director, Pearls Broadcasting Corporation, and spearhead of the Pearls Wave Foundation, said it was a well-known fact that domestic violence against women in urban and rural India is frequent, but often goes unreported because of the social stigma attached to it.
“If people feel more connected to each other, they can create an improved society. Through this candle march, we take a pledge to stop domestic violence,” he added.
A photo exhibition was also held on the occasion by victims of domestic violence.
The organisation will hold a ground event in Mumbai on February 20 to mark the Celebration of Women. During the function, ten women from different fields of society will be felicitated. (ANI)
