Sonia lays foundation stone of Jamia girls hostel, talks of women’s security
15 May 2013 8:07 AM IST
Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said she was 'pained' at society's failure to counter violence against women and called for it to be proactive in providing a safe and secure environment for women and girls. She was speaking at Jamia Millia Islami, after laying the foundation stone of a girls' hostel on the campus. Gandhi lauded the university for its rich tradition and imparting quality education to its students.
The Congress president said that at a time 'when there are incidents of violence against women, the hostel will create a sense of security among girl students'. The Congress president said she was shocked over society's failure in checking violence against women and girls. 'We have been shocked by the violence that girls and women encounter on the streets and even in their homes. Of course this is not universal, but it is very widespread.'
Gandhi noted that while the government, Parliament and institutions like police have to fulfil their role, society at large also needs to change its mindset.
'We must all become more proactive. There can be no better place for this other than our families, schools and universities,' she added. Gandhi's comments came against the backdrop of several gruesome incidents of violence against women and girls reported from across the country in the past few months.
The new girl's hostel which will be able to accommodate 400 girl students will be the fifth such unit in the campus. Gandhi said, 'The University has various eminent faculty members. Some of the Centres and departments like Mass Communication and Research Centre, Nano Technology, and the Department of Urdu, Arabic and Persian are unparalleled in itself.’
She said that now that the varsity had been declared a minority educational institution, it has a greater opportunity to serve the cause of the community and other under-privileged sections of society.
The Congress president said that at a time 'when there are incidents of violence against women, the hostel will create a sense of security among girl students'. The Congress president said she was shocked over society's failure in checking violence against women and girls. 'We have been shocked by the violence that girls and women encounter on the streets and even in their homes. Of course this is not universal, but it is very widespread.'
Gandhi noted that while the government, Parliament and institutions like police have to fulfil their role, society at large also needs to change its mindset.
'We must all become more proactive. There can be no better place for this other than our families, schools and universities,' she added. Gandhi's comments came against the backdrop of several gruesome incidents of violence against women and girls reported from across the country in the past few months.
The new girl's hostel which will be able to accommodate 400 girl students will be the fifth such unit in the campus. Gandhi said, 'The University has various eminent faculty members. Some of the Centres and departments like Mass Communication and Research Centre, Nano Technology, and the Department of Urdu, Arabic and Persian are unparalleled in itself.’
She said that now that the varsity had been declared a minority educational institution, it has a greater opportunity to serve the cause of the community and other under-privileged sections of society.
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