Vijayawada : Month-long Mahila March gets going

Vijayawada : AP State Mahila Commission, Chairperson Vasireddy Padma, while flagging off the march past by thousands of women at Swaraj Maidan on Tuesday, said that the State government is giving topmost priority to provide safety and security for women and society should change its perception towards women.

Padma warned that stern action would be taken against the person who misbehaves with children and women. She said that similar rallies and awareness public meetings would be held in towns and cities across the State for the next hundred days which would culminate on March 8, the International Women's Day.

She also said that Disa enactment is being implemented for the protection of women and in case of a complaint, police would act in five minutes to take action. She said under Sakhi programme, interaction would be held with the women employees of all sectors to know their problem.

Padma said that awareness would be created among women about the emergency phone numbers and tollfree helpline in case of any dangerous situation. Protection teams would be set up in the government and private educational institutions to bring awareness among girl students. Women trapped in the brothel houses would be rescued and destitute women would be given help.

District Collector Md Imtiaz said that the government was implementing various welfare programmes for the uplift of women.

The women's rally which started Swaraj Maidan passed through MG Road, Bapu Museum, Raghavaiah Park and culminated at the police control room.

MLA Malladi Vishnu, Joint Collector L Siva Sankar and Sub-Collector HM Dhayanchandra were also present.