Social change a must for women's empowerment

M Panduranga Rao, Head of Department of Political Science, CR Reddy College, Eluru, emphasised the need for empowerment of women to achieve social and economic development.

Delivering a guest lecture on ‘Women Empowerment’ at Sri Durga Malleswara Siddhartha Mahila Kalasala in the city on Wednesday, he said that there was no discrimination against women in the beginning of human civilization.

Women were treated on par with men in all spheres in ancient times. The society started discrimination against women with the advent of caste, community and other prejudices. Religious beliefs and superstitions gradually relegated the status of women next to men in society.

The purdah system curtailed their freedom. Social evils like Sati, Jogini, child marriages and female foeticide subjugated women further. ``There is a need to bring about a change in the outlook of society towards women to end gender discrimination,’’ he said.

College principal T Vijaya Lakshmi exhorted students to strive to bring about a social change. Empowerment of women could not be achieved without ending gender discrimination, she said. Head of Department of Political Science G Padmaja and other faculty members were present.

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