AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

NT Bureau
Chennai, Mar 9:
 

A cultural programe being performed by Daughters of Mary Immaculate and Collaborators (DMI) to mark International Women's Day in Chennai yesterday.

        Tamilnadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has said in spite of attempts by men to suppress women, the latter had successfully overcome it through bravery to maintain their independence and rights.

        Addressing at the International Women's Day function organised by Daughters of Mary Immaculate and Collaborators (DMI) here yesterday, Karunanidhi appealed to the United Progressive Alliance chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi to ensure passing of the Women's Reservation Bill providing for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Assemblies in the current session of Parliament itself.

        'The women's wing of DMK will take out a rally here on Friday demanding 33 per cent reservation for women. The reservation for women in Parliament and Assemblies is a long-time demand. I hope and expect that this would be fulfilled by the UPA government guided by Sonia Gandhi', he said.

        Delivering his presidential address, Union Minister of State for Human Resources Minister Purandhareswari urged parents not to differentiate girls from boys. Both of them should be treated equally. She said only a change of social attitude would help women's development.

        Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Statistics G K Vasan said the Centre was concerned over women's welfare and this was evident from the enactment of a law to prevent domestic violence against women.

        Citing steps taken by the DMK government, State Local Administration M K Stalin said the law to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies was brought during the previous DMK regime. It was the DMK government which enacted a law to give property rights for women, he said adding the self-help groups were started by the DMK in 1989 in Dharmapuri to facilitate economic independence of women.