Women rally against alcohol culture

Bahadurpura: Highlighting the dark side of the otherwise conservative Muslim society of Old City, hundreds of women marking the Gandhi Jayanthi took to streets in the densely populated areas against 'consumption of alcohol' among men of all ages.

With a slogan of 'Say No to Alcohol' hundreds of women from different areas gathered at Vattepally under Bahadurpura under the banner of SAFA society, an NGO working to empower women in Old City.

Later, an awareness rally was organised against the tipsy trend of over the counter sale of booze irrespective of age without following any regulations. The rally, with a resounding message of 'united fight against alcohol' covered several areas from Vattepaly to Jahanuma with a motive to attract people of different walks of life towards the social evil causing harm to the society. Women took part in the rally in big number, vociferously chanting the slogans against the easy access to liquor which is turning the younger generation vulnerable to self-destructive path.

Emphasising the need to stand against the widespread use of alcohol 'the mother of all evils' and its repercussions on the society, Rubina Nafees Fatima, the founder of SAFA, urged the women folk to gear up to fight the evil. "Knock the door of law enforcement agencies, as soon as you hear any member of the family or neighbour resorting to domestic violence," she said.

Urging women folk to instill self-restraint habits in their male members by informing them about the harmful effects of liquor consumption, she said "awareness plays a key role in fighting against evil out of blue."

She also urged the Ulemas, the religious scholars, of the Old City to highlight the ill effects of the consumption of liquor during the weekly Jumma Prayers. Formation of support centers or de-addiction centers would give more meaning to the campaign," she asserted.

SAFA society organised similar rallies in various areas of Old City. "We have organised rallies in almost 165 slums under Old City to bring awareness against alcohol consumption. We would continue the fight entire week by organising different programmes such as rallies, nukkad natak, group discussions involving women, door-to- or awareness and the social media platform," said Dr Syed Younus, HR Manager of SAFA, the NGO.

The other members who participated in the rally were Centre Manager IR Project, Sumi, Centre Manager for 'Project Hunar' Aboozar Khan, Mirza Hamid Baig, Mohammed Fayyaz team members.