Women empowered when they know their rights, says Gulabi Gang founder

BELAGAVI

: Sampat Pal Devi, founder of the Gulabi Gang, the Bundelkhand-based women’s organisation in Uttar Pradesh, said women’s empowerment is not possible unless

women

become tough and vocal and know more about their rights.

She was chief guest of the International Women’s Day programme organised by

KLE

Society’s Swashakti Empowerment Cell for Women here on Friday. She’s from Bundelkhand, an area known for brave queen Jhansi Laxmibai, but it’s economically backword and the majority of women are illiterate. She said the Gulabi Gang was set up in 2006 to work against domestic abuse and violence against women, besides setting right infrastructure-related issues. The group, which started with just four members, now has over 5,000 women members.

She was uneducated and married at the age of 12. Gradually, she realised the

power

of votes which can make governments, and bring them down too. After she realised how the system works, she strengthened the Gulabi Gang. “Even today, I don’t use physical power against the guilty if they don’t agree to change,” she said.

Several rowdies and landlords tried to harm her and tried to to murder her, but she never looked back. “Today, local politicians, officials and police are wary of making any mistake as they fear the Gulabi Gang. I’m still facing charges of assaulting a police officer for illegally keeping an undertrial prisoner in a police station for 11 days,” she said.

She said if women don’t know their rights, even 50% reservation for them is of no use. “If they realise the strength of their

vote

, women can elect up to 50%,” she said.

She said women members of a martyred soldier’s family are more patriotic than those who just chant slogans. She said such women must be respected in the society.

KLES chairman and Rajya Sabha member Prabhakar Kore said in Indian culture, women are respected, equating her with deities. Despite this, rape and other violence continues against women and it’s unfortunate. However, violence against women is less in Karnataka due to the influence of social reformer Basaveshwara. Asha Kore, president, KLE Society’s Swashakti Empowerment Cell for Women was present at the event.

Free education for girls

KLES chairman Prabhakar Kore announced free education for girl children of class 3 and class four employees of the society. He said the society will bear the entire educational expenses of girls including medical, dental or engineering courses.