Awareness rally against harassment

CHENNAI: A serpentine queue of young women and men was seen at Marina Beach in the early hours of Sunday, despite the overcast sky and occasional downpour. They had come to spread awareness about the dangers of sexual harassment against women. Organised by the Rotaract Club of Women’s Christian College (WCC), the Stree Suraksha 2011 rally had more than 2,000 students participating from over 20 city colleges, both arts and engineering. Director Bala flagged off the rally, which started from Gandhi Statue on Marina.Coordinator of the Rotaract in WCC, Sweetlyn Moses, said that the march was an initiative from the students. “A while ago, we had a seminar in the college to spread awareness about the issue. Now, they are bringing the word out to the public,” she said. Moses also mentioned that there would be more such programmes with related themes.Many of the students in the rally wore T-shirts bearing the slogan, ‘Hope in agony’, with an illustration of a burning candle. Former President of the WCC Rotaract Club, Anna Verghese, said, “This year, these T-shirts have been produced for sale, the proceeds of which will go to the victims of sexual abuse and organisations which support them.”The students also distributed flyers to the curious public, many of whom were surprised to see college students out so early for a cause. One of the joggers on the beach, Ramesh, said, “It is  commendable that the students have come together for a cause. The fact that boys have also come to the rally shows that they respect women.” The flyer listed behaviours that are counted as sexual harassment, and advised women not to ignore them in the hope that the perpetrators or the behaviour would go away on its own. The helpline number, 1091, was also mentioned in the flyer. The Stree Suraksha event was started in 2008. Every year, a different aspect of women’s rights is taken up. Rotaract International has recognised the campaign for women as one of the best projects in the world.