He also stressed on the need to launch a general awareness campaign on the issue. Rodrigues said women play a multi-dimensional role in the social system and make a significant contribution in the process of development. It is a matter of concern that all development parameters, like health, education, employment, social security and governance, indicate an abysmally low social development status in most fields, he said.

Expressing anguish over the increasing incidents of brutality against women, including dowry deaths, marital violence, oppression and female feoticide, Rodrigues said there is a need to promote the concept of gender equality through moral and social pressures from members of the society.

The governor made an appeal to NGOs, social activists, media and government functionaries to come together and work together to safeguard the interests of women. We must educate the public and convince them that girl education is indeed important, he said.

All women group housing society to come up in P’kula
Panchkula:In a first of its kind initiative in the state, Panchkula is all set to get an All Women Group Housing Society in Sector 6 of the Mansa Devi Complex (MDC) on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Union Minister of state for Finance, Pawan Bansal, will hold the bhoomi poojan ceremony on March 8. The 48-member committee has been formed with an aim to do away with the general view of men dominating the field of property, said Archna Sanghai, president of the All Women Society. Women from all walks of life have opted for the society. The nine floor society has also been designed by a women architect, she said.

Cancer camp begins at Ivy Hospital
A three-day free cancer camp is being organised by the Ivy Hospital in Mohali beginning Friday to mark the International Women’s Day. Gurtej Singh, CEO, Ivy Hospital, said: “Besides free consultation, various examinations like USG, mammography, PAP smear and stool occult blood tests are being conducted during the cancer camp.” The hospital is also organising a Colorectal Cancer Screening Camp for the entire month of March. Consultant Hematologist and Medical Oncologist, Dr Jatin Sarin, said: “Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women and is more prevalent in the higher socio-economic groups. The average incidence rate varies from 20 per 1,00,000 women per year in urban settings to 6 per 1,00,000 women per year in rural areas.”