Mumbai’s bishop says start from the family to change society and stop violence against women

09 Oct. 2013: "In order to stop violence against women and instil the values ​​of respect, dignity, honesty and morality towards all human beings, we must start from the family, which is the fundamental basis of society," said Aux. Bishop Savio Fernandes of Mumbai. He made the statement ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated around the world on 11^th October. For the occasion, the prelate had launched a petition last 8 September – the Archdiocese's Day of the Girl Child, inviting all adults in the Archdiocese to sign. The petition, along with a memorandum, will be presented to Maharashtra's chief minister on Friday.
Bishop Fernandes said "Despite many debates, rallies and shows of anger and solidarity, we continue to have acts of violence. We must not only condemn such acts, but also adopt long-term strategies to bring about real change.” At the same time, he added, we must send a strong message to our politicians. They should be sensitive to crimes against innocent civilians, particularly women, and not use tragic occasions such as the rapes in New Delhi and Mumbai, as arguments in an election campaign".
The prelate said "The archdiocese has sponsored programmes and activities at various levels, from schools to parishes to create awareness about violence against women. We need to teach people that all human beings, especially girls and women, must be respected and treated with dignity and justice, he said.
"To do this we must start with the family. "What happens behind the walls of the home," the bishop said, "is reflected on a larger scale in society. If both parents teach their children the value of dignity and equality, they will in turn spread them to the community. Parents need to be the first instruments of change,"the bishop added.
Source: Asianews