The Hindu : National : `Demeaning' way of fund-raising opposed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 15, 2004

National

National

`Demeaning' way of fund-raising opposed

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 14. Several women's organisations have demanded a public apology from the Cancer Sahyog (a unit of Indian Cancer Society) for its fund-raising programme for breast cancer survivors held here recently.

In a letter to the president of Cancer Sahyog, the women's groups pointed out that they were told that in the event held on October 9 to mark World Breast Cancer Day, "young women were reportedly paraded on the ramp and men from the audience invited to bid money for a date with them.'' This was demeaning and insulting to all women including breast cancer survivors.

Reduced to objects

Kalindi Deshpande of All India Women's Democratic Association said several cancer patients and survivors and those who were present at the show had confirmed the "ramp show.''

Young educated women were increasingly drawn into programme which reduced them to "objects of entertainment'' for affluent men ostensibly in the name of a "good cause," the groups said. The letter was signed by Brinda Karat and Kalindi Deshpande of All India Democratic Women's Association, Sehba Farooqui of the National Federation of Indian Women, Veena Mazumdar of the Centre for Women's Development Studies, Jyotsna Chatterji of the Joint Women's Programme, Mohini Giri of Guild of Services, Mary Khemchand of the Young Women's Christian Association, Bulu Sareen of Forces, and Sarojini of Sama and Syeda Hameed of the Muslim Women's Forum.

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